Beer remains stable amid a decline in other alcohol segments

In the first half of 2025, the Russian beer market and related categories are showing positive dynamics: beer production has increased by more than 3%, and an increase in consumption of low-alcohol products is accompanied by a decrease in interest in other alcoholic beverages.
In January–June, sales of still wine in Russia decreased by 12% year—on-year, to 29.7 million decaliters, sparkling wine – by 5%, to 10 million dal. Wine imports also decreased significantly — in the first quarter alone, shipments decreased by more than 50% compared to the same period last year. The reasons for the drop include rising prices, increased excise taxes and a reorientation of demand for more affordable beverages, in particular beer, beer cocktails and cider, with production growth of 11% for beer drinks and almost 10% for cider in the first 6 months of 2025.
At the same time, there is a decline in the segment of strong alcohol. During the reporting period, retail sales of vodka decreased by 5% to 35.2 million dal, cognac by 10.5% to 6.1 million dal. Overall, sales of products with a strength above 9% (including vodka, cognac, alcoholic beverages and other beverages) decreased by 2.1% to 56.8 million dal. The drop in demand is accompanied by a decrease in production: from January to May, vodka output fell by 13.2%, cognac — by 19.5%, liqueur wines — by 15.9%.
The beer industry remains stable, but there are certain challenges — a decrease in real incomes of the population, stricter control over retail and wholesale trade, including the introduction of the Honest Sign system. Although low-alcohol beverages are winning against the background of declining interest in other segments, the market as a whole holds its position and shows an increase of 3% in the first 6 months of 2025.