Polmos distilleries sales plunge in 2000, producers blame duty increases

It is estimated that in the last month the sale of vodka by Polish Polmoses dropped by at least 30%-40%. According to the National Council of Alcohol Distillers (KRPS), in the last eight months Polmoses sold up to 51 million liters of vodka, whereas in 1999 the number was 54.8 million liters. According to KRPS the drop in sales was caused by the the 2% duty increase in March and a second 4% increase in September. The head of KRPS and Polmos Bielsko-Biala president Jozef Kapela, estimates that the Treasury will loose approximately zl. 220 million because of decreased sales. In the long run only the big alcohol producers would be able to weather the new circumstances. (Puls Biznesu, page 3)