The number of standard drinks per person available for consumption declined to 1.96 per day in 2022, says Stats NZ.

This is a fall of 1.0 per cent.

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

Total spirits available passes total wine available

The total volume of spirits available increased 3.2 per cent in 2022 to 103 million litres, while the volume of wine available dropped 5.9 per cent 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,” says Allen.

Beer with alcohol content from 2.5 to 4.35 per cent decreased 21 per cent to 76 million litres in 2022, while beer with alcohol content from 4.35 to 5 per cent increased 26 per cent 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 per cent decreased 12 per cent to 6.9 million litres, while beer with alcohol content more than 5 per cent decreased 29 percent to 34 million litres.