A decrease in sales of strong alcohol was recorded in a number of regions of the Russian Federation

Sales of strong alcohol in Russia decreased in the first half of 2025. This was reported on September 25 by the newspaper Kommersant, citing data from the Unified State Automated Information System (USAIS).

"In the regions where additional restrictions on alcohol distribution were introduced this year, the drop was expected to be more pronounced. For example, in the Vologda Oblast, where strict restrictions on the retail sale of alcohol have been in effect since spring, demand for vodka has fallen by about 13%, and for cognac by 20%," the publication says.

In the period from January to August, vodka sales in Russia decreased by 3.94%, amounting to 47.82 million decaliters, and cognac — by 9.57%, to 8.19 million decaliters, the newspaper claims. Experts attribute this decline to an increase in excise taxes and minimum retail prices, as well as the introduction of regional restrictions.

Since the beginning of 2025, the excise tax on ethyl alcohol has increased by 15%, reaching 740 rubles per liter. The minimum price for vodka rose by 16.7% to 349 rubles, and for cognac — by 17% to 651 rubles. In some regions, where authorities have tightened restrictions on alcohol sales by time and place, the drop in consumption has become more noticeable.

A decrease in demand for alcohol, in addition to the Vologda region, is also observed in other regions: in Komi, vodka sales decreased by 8.6%, in the Kamchatka Territory — by 8%, in the Kostroma region — by more than 7%. In Buryatia, demand fell by almost 10%, while in neighboring Transbaikalia, sales, on the contrary, increased by 2.8%, despite the restrictions. The largest increase in alcohol sales is observed in North Ossetia (+16.4%), Karachay-Cherkessia (+14%) and Ingushetia (+10.6%).

Market participants interviewed by Kommersant note that the restrictions imposed often lead not to a reduction in consumption, but to an increase in shadow turnover. Rosalokoltabakkontrol warns that the closure of licensed outlets may contribute to the spread of illegal products.

Falling degree: Alcohol sales have fallen by almost 15%

Sales of vodka, cognac, wine and beer decreased in Russia

Sergei Leonov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, said on September 19 that allowing alcohol sales via the Internet would negate restrictions already imposed in Russia, as alcohol would be available around the clock online. The MP stressed that measures to limit the time of alcohol sales in the face-to-face format are working well now.

Earlier, on June 18, the office of Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko told Izvestia that the authorities could allow the purchase of goods with an 18+ restriction on online platforms. It is assumed that the age will be confirmed through a single biometric system (EBS). The mechanism will become a voluntary option for online platforms.

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