Lithuanian brewing companies sold about 45.1 million litres of beer during the first three months of the year or 7.1% less then for the same period last year. According to the Lithuanian Breweries Association, which joins eleven the biggest Lithuanian brewers, Lithuanian beer sales in March 2003 accounted 1.65 million litres, 8.7% less then in March last year.

Leader of the Lithuanian beer market is the brewer Svyturys-Utenos alus, controlled by Scandinavian concern Baltic Beverages Holding. Svyturys-Utenos alus sold about 21.14 million litres of beer for January-March 2003, 13.3% less then for the same period last year. (24.38 million litres).

The breweries Kalnapilis and Vilniaus Tauras, controlled by the Dutch company Brewery Group, are ranked next in beer sales. The two brewers sold about 11.16 million litres of beer for the third months of the year, 3.7% less versus the same period last year (11.59 million litres).

Gubernija brewery increased beer sales by 1.5% up to 4.75 million litres.

Lithuanian brewer Ragutis, controlled by Finish company Olvi, sold in the first quarter of the year about 4.12 million litres of beer, 3.5% more against the first quarter of 2002 year (3.98 million litres).

This year brewery Svyturys-Utenos alus holds around 46.9% of Lithuanian beer market, Kalnapilis and Vilniaus Tauras – 24.7%, Gubernija – 10.5%, and Ragutis – 9.1%.

The main export of Lithuanian beer is made to Latvia. Last year Lithuanian export to Latvia came to 90%.

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