From September 1, new restrictions on alcohol sales came into effect in several regions of Russia
Since the beginning of September, new legislative measures have come into effect in Russia, significantly tightening the rules for selling alcoholic beverages. The changes affect the Moscow Region, Zabaykalsky Krai, Chuvashia, Saratov, Astrakhan, Magadan, and Leningrad Regions, as well as the Republic of Mari El. In the Moscow Region, the sale of alcohol is prohibited in stores with entrances from courtyards, as well as in summer cafes without a special permit. According to the regional Ministry of Agriculture, more than 3,400 retail outlets have courtyard entrances, about two thousand of which are chain alcohol stores. Owners will have to either remove alcohol from their product range or relocate their entrances to the street side. Summer outdoor dining areas may now only sell alcohol if they have a separate permit, which is issued upon meeting various requirements: adjacency to a stationary establishment, no proximity to schools, medical facilities, or sports venues, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Additionally, operating hours for cafes and bars located in residential buildings are restricted to 8:00 AM to 11:00 PM, and if they have courtyard entrances, alcohol sales are allowed only for two hours a day—from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.
About 400 stores that did not comply with the new law have closed in Zabaykalsky Krai. Now, the sale of alcohol is prohibited in retail outlets located in apartment buildings if their area is less than 300 square meters. Exceptions are made for large stores, provided they have a separate room, cash register, entrance, and display information about the harms of alcohol. In the Republic of Mari El, updated time restrictions have been introduced: since September 1, alcohol sales are banned from 10:00 PM to 11:00 AM, as well as on special days—September 11 (Sobriety Day) and May 25 (Last Bell). Furthermore, the rules for selling low-alcohol drinks have been tightened: beer, cider, poire, and mead are now available only in cafes, bars, and restaurants anywhere, regardless of location.
Against the backdrop of these measures, the market has shifted: while retail beer sales showed growth in the first half of the year from 2022 to 2024 (from 33.6 million hectoliters in 2022 to 37 million in 2023, a 10.1% increase, and 39.5 million in 2024, a 6.8% increase), sales sharply fell in 2025 to 33.65 million hectoliters, returning almost to the level three years ago (a decline of 14.8% compared to 2024). However, in the first quarter of 2025, a similar decline (−13%) was largely explained by changes in accounting structure, as clarified by the RATK press service. At the same time, the burden on consumers noticeably increased: over the year, beer prices in Russia rose by 17%, with the average price in March 2025 increasing by 15% to 165 rubles per liter. Major manufacturers such as AB InBev Efes, Baltika, and United Breweries confirmed wholesale price increases of 10% to 15%.
Interestingly, despite the drop in retail sales, the wholesale segment shows the opposite trend. According to EMISS data, the indicator “Wholesale sales of beer, beer drinks, cider, poire, and mead in physical terms” in the first half of 2025 rose to 47.34 million hectoliters, which is 5.13% higher than the same period in 2024 (45.03 million hectoliters). Experts associate this with changes in distribution channels: part of the products is redistributed to large retail chains and the HoReCa segment, while small retailers and courtyard alcohol stores are losing market share.
The Moscow Regional Duma emphasizes that these measures are introduced at the numerous requests of residents and are aimed at reducing alcohol accessibility, especially for minors. Zabaykalsky authorities also note that freed-up spaces in residential buildings can be used for socially beneficial businesses — bakeries, cafes, and children’s centers.
Regional authorities hope that this will help reduce the level of domestic alcoholism, decrease the number of offenses, and improve public safety.
