OREANDA-NEWS  By the end of July, the total volume of deliveries of all wines to Russia, excluding the import of products from the states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), broke a monthly record since the beginning of 2023 and exceeded 45.5 million liters. This is reported by Kommersant with reference to the data of market participants.

By the June value, the indicator increased by 17 percent. In January-July, imports of all types of wines to Russia increased by 42 percent year—on-year to about 251 million liters. The largest increase occurred in Italy. In July, the import of wine from the country increased by 56.6 percent compared to June and by 65 percent in annual terms — up to 17 million liters. In terms of imports of still wines in January-July, Italy was ahead of Georgia, which accounted for 35.14 million liters.

A sharp increase in the import of all types of foreign wines to Russia occurred before the increase in duties on these alcoholic beverages from so-called unfriendly countries. The measure came into force on August 1, 2023 and affected the largest producers from all EU (EU) states, the USA, Australia and other Western countries. Since that date, fees have been increased from 12.5 percent to 20, but not less than $ 1.5 per liter.

Against the background of a sharp increase in duties, market participants expect a noticeable increase in prices for products in the mass segment of wine. The experts interviewed by Forbes allowed an increase in the cost of foreign wines in Russia by 25-50 percent in the second half of 2023. At the same time, retail prices are likely to increase smoothly — within four to six months.

Previously Director of the Center for Research of Federal and Regional Alcohol Markets (CIFRRA) Vadim Drobiz warned Russians about a possible sharp increase in prices for imported sparkling and still wines by the end of 2023. This will happen due to the increase in duties on alcoholic beverages from France, Italy, Spain and Portugal. As a result, quiet wines worth 400-600 rubles will become 42-50 percent more expensive, or 200-250 rubles. At the same time, as the expert suggested, the rise in price is likely to occur in October-November.