THE RANGE OF IMPORTED ALCOHOL IN STORES MAY BE HALVED

Today, the supply of sparkling wines from the Champagne region has already been completely stopped, whiskey imports have fallen by 70%, and French cognac and imported beer by 60%, Kommersant reports with reference to the Association of Retail Companies (ACORT).

According to retailers, since February, the purchase prices for imported alcohol have increased markedly – by 27-40%, and for a number of items – by 70%.

Previously, the sale of alcoholic beverages in Russia was suspended by such major manufacturers as Pernod Ricard (Chivas Regal, Jameson, Absolut, Ararat), Diageo (Bell's, Captain Morgan, Baileys), Bacardi, Brown-Forman (Jack Daniel's and others). Another part of the brands announced their departure from the Russian Federation. 

AKORT, in turn, appealed to the government with a request to add a number of foreign brands to the list allowed for parallel import. Denis Manturov, the head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said on September 19 that a decision on parallel import of alcohol should be made by the end of September.