Polish alcohol exports tops in the world

Poland is the fourth largest exporter of alcoholic spirits in the world. Poles themselves are changing consumption habits and consuming more wine and beer, and less vodka. Annual alcohol production in Poland is 320 million of liters, according to an IAR release. This is the highest number in the European Union and most of the Polish alcohol exports end up in European countries. "We must adjust our offer to the needs of other markets or create new trends. After all not every drinks pure vodka," said Andrzej Janota, the head of the Polish Spirits Producers Association. According to statistics, Poles are drinking less and less vodka. Since the 1980's, vodka consumption has fallen by half. Meanwhile, beer consumption has risen threefold. There is still a large amount of unofficial moonshine production that may amount up to 15 percent of the market.