Sharp decrease in vodka production observed in Russia

In a recent statement, Maxim Chernigovsky, the general director of the "Club of Professional Alcohol Market Professionals," has emphasized the importance of strict adherence to existing norms for the sale of legal alcoholic beverages. According to Chernigovsky, Russian laws regulating the retail sale of alcohol are among the strictest in the world.

Chernigovsky's main concern lies in ensuring strict compliance with these norms, as he has noted a significant problem of the spread of illegal alcohol in Russia. This issue is particularly relevant considering the current state of the alcohol market.

During the January to August period of 2025, the production of grape beverages with ethyl alcohol decreased by 63.2% to 14.1 thousand decaliters (dL). The production of cognac decreased by 18.5% to 4.85 million dL, while the volume of production of non-alcoholic grape beverages decreased by 72.7% to 50.4 thousand dL.

On a positive note, the production of champagne increased by 12.9% to 10.4 million dL, and the production of wines from grapes increased by 12% to 23.87 million dL. The production of vodka, however, decreased by 6.8% compared to the same period last year and amounted to 45.1 million dL.

The production of liquor and vodka increased by 6.2% to 11.4 million dL, but the volume of alcoholic beverages with a spirit content of more than 9% decreased by 5.6% to 67.13 million dL. The production of other types of alcoholic beverages decreased by 4.2% to 5.79 million dL.

Interestingly, the production of low-alcohol beverages decreased by 88% to 1 million dL, and the production of alcoholic beverages from fruits decreased by 80.9% to 997.5 thousand dL. The total production of alcoholic beverages (excluding beer, beer drinks, cider, perry, and mead) decreased by 10.7% to 104.39 million dL.

The organization responsible for reporting on the production and sale of alcoholic beverages in Russia is the Russian Cancer Research Center in Moscow. This centre conducts studies and provides data on alcohol consumption and its effects, with regulatory measures overseen by Russian government bodies implementing alcohol control laws.

In conclusion, while certain sectors of the Russian alcohol market are seeing a decrease in production, it is crucial to maintain strict compliance with existing norms to combat the spread of illegal alcohol. The Russian Cancer Research Center and the Russian government continue to play a vital role in monitoring and regulating the alcohol market to ensure the health and safety of the public.