Finland's food retailers start selling stronger beer

Food retailers in Finland have cleared the shelves to make room for stronger beer varieties ahead of a new alcohol law taking effect.

From Monday, wine, beer, and cider with an alcohol content of up to 8 volume percent can be sold in daily consumer goods trade, reports Yle. Previously, the limit was 5.5 percent.

The new wine selection is expected to be popular, according to several retailers.

Finland's parliament passed the new alcohol legislation, a step in Prime Minister Petteri Orpo's liberalization of alcohol policy, on Wednesday.

Alko, Finland's equivalent to Systembolaget, is expected to see a sales drop of 6-11 percent in liters in the first year with the new law, reports news agency STT.