Alcohol imports lose fizz as austerity move crimps sales

Alcohol imports slid in the first four months as an official crackdown on lavish entertainment and a weaker economy cut corporate and government spending on beverages.

In value terms, imports of alcoholic beverages fell about 8 percent year-on-year to $847 million from January to April, according to the China Chamber of Commerce of Foodstuffs and Native Produce. But by volume, imports were up 12.9 percent to 212 million liters as drinkers turned to cheaper beverages such as beer.

China's thirst for foreign alcohol, especially fine wines and liquors, has been declining because of the government's campaign against extravagance and weaker growth in the world's second-biggest economy, experts said.