Russia: Beer preferred instead of vodka

Vodka will lose its title of Russian national drink, the analysts said on January 16. During last several years the vodka consumption has been decreasing gradually, replaced by wine and cocktails. In the next five years the sales of vodka will decrease by a quarter and that of wine will grow 3 times.

According to specialist the sales of vodka and wine have decreased substantially: those of wine with 7.5% till 10.25 million hl and those of vodka with 3.9% till 17.56 hl.

The vodka consumption is decreasing continuously according to Euromonitor and fell 15% from year 2000. It also foresees a 3.9-4.9% decrease each year registering 20% by 2011.

As for beer, the sales grew 10.4% in 2006 and by 2011 it’s expected a 24.3% growth. In order to stop the vodka sales’ shrink, market operators try to promote the expensive vodka brands.