Main points
- The Russian authorities are raising duties on strong alcohol from “unfriendly” countries from 3 to 5 euros per 1 liter of alcohol, which will lead to an increase in prices for imported products.
- Rising prices and a shrinking assortment are forcing Russians to switch to local products, and sales of hard alcohol in smaller bottles are increasing.
Russia will fight alcohol from “unfriendly” countries / Collage by Channel 24, photo Getty Images, Pexels
The Russian government has decided to raise duties on spirits from “unfriendly” countries from the current 3 to 5 euros per liter of alcohol. In this way, they want to “accustom” Russians to domestic whiskey and cognac.
What will happen to alcohol prices in Russia due to duties?
The increase in duties will probably take place as early as May 1 of this year, writes the Russian media outlet Kommersant.
The increase will cause a significant increase in prices for imported products, a drop in their sales and a reduction in the assortment, warned Andrey Moskovsky, president of the Alcopro guild. According to him, only a few dozen large foreign brands of strong alcohol will remain on the Russian market :
- The decrease in imports will primarily affect inexpensive brands of gin, liqueurs, cognac, brandy, and whiskey.
- The increase in costs, as before, will be passed on to the end consumer.
The Ladoga Group predicts that prices will increase as stocks, which will last until the end of the year, are depleted. Alcohol will start to become more expensive about three months after the increase in duties. At the same time, Russian consumers will be forced to switch to local products.
By the way, the current duty on strong alcohol from “unfriendly” countries in the amount of 20% of the customs value of the product, but not less than 3 euros per 1 liter of alcohol in the drink, has been in effect since September 2024.
How do Russians save on alcoholic beverages?
Amid the transition of Russians to austerity, sales of strong alcohol in bottles with a volume of 0.1 to 0.375 liters began to increase, writes The Moscow Times.
In 2025, the government increased the excise tax on ethyl alcohol by 15%. At the same time, the minimum retail price of vodka increased by 16.7%, and cognac by more than 17%. From January 1, 2026, excise taxes on alcohol increased by another 11.4%. At the same time, the value added tax (VAT) was increased from 20% to 22%.
How is the Russian population becoming poorer as a result of the war?
Currently, Russia is experiencing a decline in consumption, which is unusual. For comparison: in Ukraine, on the contrary, consumption continued to grow both in 2023 and 2025. This was reported by economist Serhiy Fursa for Channel 24 .
This indicates that Russians have stopped going to large and expensive stores and are increasingly focusing on stores that offer discounted prices.
Serhiy Fursa
Investment banker, economist
Any statistics that actually come out of Russia now are always pleasing to us. It's quite rare that we see indicators that haven't fallen.
Russian industry also continues to decline, the economist adds. Those sectors that earn, develop or survive precisely because of the war are showing less production. And this is evidence of a shortage of money that the Russians are trying to fix.
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