OREANDA-NEWS Since the beginning of 2023, alcohol production has fallen in Russia. The output of cognac, as well as quiet and sparkling wines, decreased the most, with reference to the data of Rosalkogoltabakkontrol, Kommersant reports.

For nine months, the production of cognac in annual terms decreased by seven, and vodka — by five percent. The production of still and sparkling wines decreased by seven percent. The only segment that showed an increase was low—alcohol beverages, their production increased by 17 percent.

Russian companies have established imports, and there is no need to produce alcohol in the same volumes as last year, explained Alexey Kanevsky, head of the economics committee of the Moscow branch of Opora Russia. According to Vadim Drobiz, director of the Center for Research on Federal and Regional Alcohol Markets, modern youth drinks mainly beer products and weak drinks. The second reason is the "destruction" of the wine drinks segment by the state by increasing the excise tax rate, as a result of which consumers began to choose low—alcohol or beer drinks.