Beer is proposed to be regulated – Kommersant FM
[ad_1]
The Ministry of Finance will study the issue of state regulation of prices for beer, cider, mead and poire. The government sent a corresponding appeal to the Ministry of Finance from the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, the press service of the Cabinet of Ministers reported. The deputies explained the need for this measure by the fact that the state now controls prices for vodka, brandy, cognac and other alcohol with a strength above 28 degrees. State regulation of prices for low-alcohol drinks will reduce their illegal turnover, protect the health of consumers, ensure competition, as well as additional revenues to the budget, the lower house of parliament emphasized.
However, such a measure will have a negative impact on both producers and consumers, says Vyacheslav Mamontov, executive director of the Association of Beer, Malt and Beverage Producers:
“Based on what we see now, we are talking about introducing, first of all, a minimum retail price for brewing products. If this is so, we oppose it, since this measure increases marginality and illegal production turnover.
In the structure of the cost of a bottle of beer, at least 51% are taxes and fees. In the fight against the illegal market, the MRP instrument is ineffective and will most likely lead to an increase in consumer prices, which is critical in the context of declining purchasing power. This will not encourage buyers to purchase safe and high-quality products and will not be able to protect the consumer from the possible purchase of a surrogate.
State regulation of prices in general, especially in the current economic situation, may have a negative impact primarily on conscientious representatives of the industry, and also create a risk for the sustainability of the industry.”
Since the beginning of 2023, a minimum retail price for sparkling wines has been in effect in Russia – 239 rubles. for 750 milliliters. At the same time, the Ministry of Finance reported back in June that it supported the idea of extending such restrictions to beer and cider. True, the initiative needs to be worked out, the ministry concluded then.
State price regulation is unlikely to have a negative impact on the entire market, but it may put large and small producers in an unequal position, says Stanislav Belov, co-founder of the Brewlok brewery:
“We work mainly with restaurants and bars, that is, in a segment in which, in principle, our price tag is not low. Therefore, I don’t see any big risks for us from price fixing. When optimizing production, you can offer a product at a lower price and with good quality, but here you will be compared with absolutely everyone. It doesn’t seem like a very healthy thing.”
Of all the parliamentary proposals, only the minimum retail price will have a positive effect on the market for beer, cider, mead and poire. Otherwise, state regulation risks simply stopping many productions, says independent alcohol market expert Alexey Nebolsin:
“If the state decides to introduce price regulation for beer, cider, and mead, it will also be obliged to regulate prices for incoming raw materials – hops, malt, apples, honey. But this cannot be. We do not have socialism, but a market price for everything. We can agree with only one thing: the introduction of a minimum retail price and the fight against counterfeiting is an effective step that can be taken. Everything else is just populism.
Cider production will stop, agricultural producers will say that this year the cost of apples was higher, a bad harvest, bad weather, and the like. And you can’t argue with them. Moreover, agricultural producers have state support. But the manufacturer of excisable goods does not have it. Therefore, it is unrealistic to regulate the prices of the drink and not regulate the prices of the raw materials from which it is produced.”
In the summer, the Ministry of Finance advocated state regulation of the production and circulation of methanol and methanol-containing liquids. At the same time, the department proposed lifting the moratorium on inspections against producers and sellers of alcohol and spirits.
The statements were made after in June, residents of different regions of Russia were poisoned en masse by a surrogate drink called “Mr. Cider.” The examination revealed dangerous impurities of methanol and ethyl butyrate in it. 46 people ultimately died.
Everything is clear with us – Telegram channel “Kommersant FM”.
[ad_2]
Source link
