Latvia shows record alcohol production in January: even our cathedral isn't this holy

Central Statistical Bureau data reveals a sensational truth — in January, Latvia produced 0.508 million liters of absolute alcohol, which is 30.2% more than before. That's so much that even the ornaments of Liepāja's St. Joseph Roman Catholic Cathedral for major holidays would look like amateur work compared to this production sanctity.

Local expert Aivars from Grobiņa explains: 'It's logical — people start the year with good intentions, but January is long, dark and cold. After two weeks without alcohol they realize they need to replenish their supplies.' Meanwhile, Riga specialists are still trying to understand why their alcohol consumption isn't as efficient as ours.

Interestingly, dehydrated alcohol wasn't produced at all in January. As local Jānis comments: 'Who needs that when we already have dry January after Christmas indulgence?' In contrast, exports to other EU countries doubled — apparently foreigners understand that Latvian alcohol is the best winter survival tool.

Statistics show that less alcohol was used in alcoholic beverage production than usual, which indicates — either we're becoming healthier, or we're simply drinking pure alcohol without unnecessary additives. Given January's weather conditions, the second option seems more likely.