Champagne consumption rises in Turkey

Turks are increasingly turning away from drinks such as raki to enjoy Champagne according to the latest government figures.

The jump in Champagne statistics was part of a wider rise in consumption of alcoholic drinks of 6.3%.

According to the country’s Tobacco and Alcohol Market Regulatory Authority, sales of alcoholic drinks went up 67 million litres over the course of 2012 to a new total of 1.1bn litres.

The English language Turkish newspaper Daily News reported that beer continued to be the most popular beverage, rising to 998.9m litres, but Champagne saw the biggest jump – with sales up by over 91% to 826,770 litres.

More traditional Turkish drinks such as raki fared less well, raki sales fell by 8.6% to 44.6m litres and domestic wines also saw a small decrease of 3.8% to 56.4m litres.

The pattern over the last five years however would appear to suggest that raki consumption has remained relatively stable, whereas whisky, vodka and wine have seen the largest surges – from small bases.

Beer consumption, though large, has only increased by a more moderate 7.9%.

The Turkish market, although only just emerging, has not failed to catch the eye of various producers.

Not least Dom Pérignon, which launched its 2002 rosé in Istanbul only last month explaining to the drinks business: We chose Istanbul for the contrast between east and west and the epic intensity of the place,” said Arnaud de Saignes, international director of marketing and communications for the brand.