Sin Tax Revenues Continue to Grow

Provincial vintners, brewers, and distillers continue to increase their production through Nova Scotia Liquor Commission stores (NSLC).

The latest release on NSLC sales tells of strong growth in all local beverage alcohol product categories. 

Nova Scotia's ready-to-drink sales, which are mostly coolers and ciders, were up 120.3 percent to $6.2 million while Nova Scotia craft beer sales were up 18.9 percent, also to $6.2 million. Nova Scotia's spirit sales grew by 17.4 percent to $2.5 million, while Nova Scotia wine sales were up by 2.9 percent to $3.9 million.

The figures are good news for Nova Scotia producers, but particularly good news to Cumberland-Colchester growers, breweries and wineries.

Of course, the NSLC has a new sales category contributing to the overall ‘pot’.

There were 538,752 cannabis transactions with an average dollar value of $33.76, just slightly higher than its boozy cousin. The average dollar value of each beverage alcohol transaction grew by 1.8 percent to $31.83.  

Total NSLC sales were up 11.8 percent to $203.7 million for the most recent quarter. The net income for the corporation was $73.8 million, up 5.2 percent.

The bottom line is Nova Scotia continues to prosper from what has affectionately been called the sin tax.

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