Retail sales of alcoholic beverages slowed down
In April, a decrease in alcohol sales in Russian retail amounted to 12% a year by the year. Compared to the first quarter, when the fall was more pronounced, in the past month it slowed somewhat. This was facilitated by the preparation of consumers for long May holidays and the gradual addiction of customers to new prices, experts say.
Retail sales of alcoholic beverages (excluding beer, beer drinks, cider, pora and meads) in April were reduced by 12% year, to 15.7 million decalits (DAL), follows from the disposal of “Kommersant” by the data of the Rosalcoletabakcontrol (RATC). Despite the ongoing decrease in the sale of alcohol, they notice that they are now observing a slowdown in sales.
According to analysts, in the first quarter of 2025, the drop in sales of alcohol was 14.7%, and in January -April the decrease was 14%, to 63.58 million gave.
If in the first quarter of the year, sales of vodka decreased by 7.3% year by the year (amounted to 18.37 million), and cognac sales – by 12.6% (3.1 million gave), then in April only 3.7% (about 5.8 million gave) and 9% (989 thousand gave) (see table).
From January 1 of this year, alcohol excise taxes rose immediately by 15%, to 740 rubles. for 1 l. This, in conjunction with inflation on other costs of expenses, led to a noticeable increase in retail prices, which affected the sales of alcohol, explains Yuri Karyakin, deputy general director of Tatspirtprom. However, the consumer has already begun to adapt to new prices, the owner of the Kaluga liquids of Crystal Pavel Pobedkin explains.
In the alcohol Siberian group (ASG), they also record the resumption of demand for alcohol. A decrease in sales of vodka was mainly seriously affected by small players selling in the economy of segment, due to a sharp increase in minimal retail prices, explains Ladoga President Benjamin Grabar. At the same time, large players who bet on a premium segment practically did not feel the sales decline, add to the ASG.
The President of the Alcopr Guild Andrei Moscow explains that the restoration in April began largely due to the expectation of the approaching long May holidays. In addition, the expert adds, seeing a “storm fall” in the market, many companies activated marketing activity, which also affects sales leveling, he adds.
The most pronounced fall in January-April was observed in low-alcohol products-by 89.3%, up to 645.9 thousand gave-and fruit and berry products-by 73.8%, up to 1.01 million gave.
An independent expert of the alcoholic market Alexei Malsin explains that this is due to the mass transition of cocktails to the category of beer drinks, which is dictated by an increase in excise taxes. Their size in May last year increased almost four times: from 36 to 141 rubles. per 1 liter of products with a strength of 7%. For beer with a strength of 0.5–8.6% excise tax this year is 30 rubles. The same bet is installed for cider. In his category, according to Mr. Bolsin, now, in connection with the growth of excise taxes, fruit alcohol products are massively passing.
According to RATK estimates, the growth in the category of alcohol above 9%continues to show liquor products – by 13%, gave up to 5.62 million – and other drinks – by 1.8%, gave up to 4.44 million. Separately, in April, sales of grape wines were also resumed – by 0.3%, to 4.53 million gave. In the first three months of 2025, the category had a decrease by 2%, including due to a sharp increase in prices due to growth in products from unfriendly countries, excise taxes and manufacturers (costs of manufacturers (See “Kommersant” from April 15). At the same time, in the category of sparkling wines, on the contrary, a decrease in sales continues to increase: in January -April it amounted to 5.2%, up to 6.42 million.
After the last decrease in sales, growth resumed in liquor wines – by 19.2%, up to 141.9 thousand gave. However, this increase is associated with the purchases of Kagor to Easter, which this year was celebrated two weeks earlier than a year ago, says Alexander Stavtsev, head of Wineretail.
