Japan: Sales of beer and quasi-beer products shrink 22% in September

Sales of beer and quasi-beer products in Japan shrank by an estimated 22 pct from a year earlier in September, data from four major brewers showed on October 10.

Sales were hit by the fallout from a liquor tax hike for beer-like "third-segment" alcoholic beverages and price increase for "happoshu" low-malt quasi-beer products in October last year, as well as by a commercial demand decline due to unfavorable weather conditions including typhoon-caused downpours.

Sales volume fell 25 pct at Kirin Brewery Co., 24 pct at Suntory Spirits Ltd. and 10 pct at Sapporo Breweries Ltd. Asahi Breweries Ltd. posted a 19 pct drop in value.

By product, sales of beer dropped 2 pct and those of "happoshu" plunged 21 pct. Meanwhile, third-segment sales tumbled 46 pct, extending their losing streak to 24 months.

"Overall sales are expected to show a turnaround in October as the adverse effects of the tax hike and happoshu markups would dissipate, although the third segment's slump is likely to continue," a company official said.