People drank more strong beer last year.
Stats NZ said the total volume of beer available for consumption increased 5.4% to 296 million litres last year.
That followed a fall of 4.4% in 2023.
Low-alcohol beverages were less popular.
Stats NZ said for beverages up to 2.5% alcohol, the country consumed 7.9% less than it did in 2023.
Beverage consumption for drinks between 2.5% and 4.35% was down 5.7%.
But for stronger drinks, above 5%, consumption was up 34 million litres or 3.9%.
“Of the total volume of beer available for consumption in 2024, 88% was produced in New Zealand and 12% was imported,” Stats NZ added.
The country exported 20 million litres of beer last year.
The total volume of wine available for consumption in 2024 fell 4.1% to 95 million litres, Stats NZ added.
Table wine was down 4.1% to 94 million litres.
Fortified wine, above 14% alcohol volume, was down 10% to 403,000 litres.
Of all the wine available last year, 72% was produced in New Zealand and 28% was imported.
Spirits were down 5.5%.
Spirit-based drinks containing up to 23% alcohol, such as ready-to-drink beverages or RTDs, were down 3.4% to 78 million litres.
Overall, standard drinks were down 4.8% from 2023, following a 5.4% decrease in 2022.
“In 2024, the volume of alcohol available per person aged 18 years and over [as measured by the number of standard drinks], continued to fall as it has for the past 4 years,” Stats NZ added.
Overall, beer consumption was up 4.5%, wine was down 4%, and spirits were down 10%.
The local index was supported by improved company results.