Alcohol, Latvia, Legislation, Markets and Companies

Sure stressed that breweries hope that this would help them avoid a steep fall in the beer production business, as well as help the state budget collect the planned revenue.

According to beer producers' estimates, beer sales will decrease 10-20 percent on the average due to the increased excise tax rate, which will also have a notable impact on the budget's revenue.

"We believe that lifting the restrictions on beer sales at this time is practically the only way to keep the traditional beer production business from faltering and ensure the planned budget revenue," said Sure.

That is why the beer producers and retailers urge the government to urgently amend the law on distribution of alcoholic beverages, to avoid a drop in beer sales in Latvia and collect as much revenue as originally planned. "We also expect that lifting the restrictions on beer sales, the pressure from bootleg alcohol on the Latvian economy will decrease," added Sure.

Several Saeima members have already expressed support for the initiative, as well as several members of the Saeima Budget and Finance Committee, said Sure.

All the members of the beer production business signed the letter to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economy, as did the Latvian Merchants Association.

The law currently prohibits sale of beer from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.