Standard drinks of alcohol per person decline

The number of standard drinks per person available for consumption declined to 1.96 per day in 2022, Stats NZ said today. This was a fall of 1.0 percent.

"This is the lowest number of standard drinks available per person in the last 15 years," international trade manager Alasdair Allen said.

Total spirits available passes total wine available

The total volume of spirits available increased 3.2 percent in 2022 to 103 million litres, while the volume of wine available dropped 5.9 percent to 101 million litres. This continues the trend seen over the last two years.

Trends in beer continue to shift

"Mid-strength beers available have seen a long-term decline in 2.5 to 4.35 percent beer and an increase in 4.35 to 5 percent beer," Allen said.

Beer with alcohol content from 2.5 to 4.35 percent decreased 21 percent to 76 million litres in 2022, while beer with alcohol content from 4.35 to 5 percent increased 26 percent to 177 million litres.

Overall, the total volume of beer available was little changed in 2022 with 294 million litres available for consumption. Both low- and high-strength beers declined. Beer with alcohol content up to 2.5 percent decreased 12 percent to 6.9 million litres, while beer with alcohol content more than 5 percent decreased 29 percent to 34 million litres.