Retailers reduced alcohol imports by 60-100% in three months

In the next three months, the assortment of imported alcohol in federal networks may be reduced by 40-50%, about this informed Kommersant, citing data from the Association of Retail Companies (AKORT; includes X5 group, “Magnet“,”Ribbon“, Auchan, “Azbuka vkusa”, etc.).

It is specified that, according to AKORT, the range of imported alcoholic products in large retailers for three months, from June to August, decreased by 40-95% in annual terms, depending on the category of the drink. At the same time, imports of alcoholic beverages from large chains over this period decreased by 60-100%.

After the start of the special operation in Ukraine, the US and EU countries imposed large-scale sanctions against Russia, which, among other things, affected the import of alcohol. Thus, the United States completely banned the shipment of alcohol, and the EU limited the supply of alcohol for more than 300 euros per unit. After that, the largest producers of alcoholic beverages Pernod Ricard (Chivas Regal, Jameson, Absolut, Ararat), Diageo (Bell’s, Johnnie Walker, Captain Morgan, Baileys), Bacardi (Dewar’s, William Lawson’s), Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel’s, Woodford Reserve, Old Forester) have suspended the sale of products in Russia. Some even announced they were leaving the country. According to the results of the first half of the year, the import of all strong drinks decreased by almost 35%, to 32.65 million liters, and whiskey – by almost 50%, to 11.8 million liters.

In particular, the supply of sparkling wines from the Champagne region was completely stopped in Russia, the import of whiskey was reduced by 70%, and French cognac and imported beer were reduced by 60%. As a result, purchase prices for imported alcoholic beverages increased by 27-40% after the start of the special operation. AKORT reported that prices for some items jumped by 70%.

ACORT in August addressed to the government with a request to include a number of alcohol brands in the list of permitted parallel imports. In mid-September, the same proposal was received from the Ministry of Industry and Trade. The list of goods allowed for parallel import included, in particular, the brands Moet, Hennessy, Jack Daniel’s, Jim Beam and others. On September 19, Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov instructed make a decision on the parallel import of alcohol before the end of this month.

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