RUSSIA: Sales of alcohol still on the up - report

By Olly Wehring | 3 January 2013

The latest alcohol sales figures show a slight lift in consumption in Russia

Alcohol sales in Russia in the first 11 months of 2012 rose slightly on the corresponding period a year earlier, according to recently-released figures.

Citing figures from the country's Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat), RIA Novosti reported last week that sales of alcohol between the beginning of January and the end of November inched up by 2.6% year-on-year, hitting 1.6bn hectolitres, in terms of pure alcohol. Sales of both vodka and beer, which have been targeted by authorities as the main conduits of alcohol abuse in the country, increased in the period.

Vodka sales were up by 2.1% to 1.42bn hectolitres, with beer producing a 4.5% lift in sales to 9.7bn hectolitres.

Although Champagne and sparkling wine collectively saw sales rise by 4.5% to 240m hectolitres, wine sales slid by 1.6% in the 11-month period to 850m hectolitres.

The Russian Government will hope to see beer sales slow in 2013. Earlier this week, new laws on beer sales in the country were introduced, along with a ban on print media alcohol advertising.

Expert analysis

Russia Forecast Report 2011-2016

The IWSR Russia Forecast Report 2011-2016 forecasts the Russian alcohol market over the next five years, covering the most recent and future trends for all wine and spirits categories. Each quality/price segment is forecast and detailed explanations as to why and how volume trends have been forecast are included.

Sectors: Beer & cider, Emerging markets – BRIC, Spirits, Wine