Russia's alcohol production down 7.2% in Jan-Aug 2026

According to the service's calculations, the production of alcoholic beverages with an alcohol content greater than 9% decreased by 10.9% to 59.83 million dal; vodka production fell by 12.1% to 39.64 million dal, cognac by 16.8% to 4.03 million dal, and other alcoholic beverages by 18% to 4.74 million dal.

Consensus

Production of alcohol in Russia decreased by 7.2% from January to August 2026 compared to the same period in the previous year.
Production of vodka declined by 12.1% during the same period.
Production of wine decreased by 14.8% in the first eight months of 2026.
Production of liqueur-wine products increased slightly by 0.1%.
Consumption of alcohol in Russia has decreased by approximately 15% over the past five to six years.
The average annual alcohol consumption in Russia is 7.57 liters of pure alcohol per capita.
The decline in production is attributed to multiple factors including high base effects, rising costs, and reduced consumer activity.

Points of divergence

The decrease in alcohol consumption is linked to government measures and is considered a positive result. — interfax
The decline in production is primarily due to the 'high base effect' caused by stockpiling before expected excise increases in 2024–2025, and also due to rising costs of raw materials, packaging, logistics, credit, and minimum retail prices. — vesti
The decline in wine production may be linked to electricity supply restrictions due to damage in Crimea's infrastructure, and the delayed grape harvest in 2026 affected sparkling wine output. — kommersant
Production of liqueur wine dropped by 42.6%, and production of sparkling wine fell by 14.6% in the first eight months of 2016. — vedomosti

Coverage (14 sources)

Sales of wine in Russia fell by 2.7% in 8 months, beer by 2.6% — Интерфакс
Demand for vodka among Russians has remained virtually unchanged year after year — Ведомости
Russians are drinking less due to switching to sweet liqueurs - SPB RUZ newspaper - Saint Petersburg news — Gazeta.SPb
Expert explains why alcohol consumption in Russia has fallen — Вести
All about the Zumeras: the State Duma explained why Russians are drinking less — РИАМО
Alcohol consumption in Russia has fallen to a minimum since 1996. — РИА Новости (Telegram)
Research: alcohol consumption in Russia has fallen to a minimum since 1996 — Вести
Alcohol consumption in the Russian Federation has decreased by 15% over the last five to six years — Интерфакс
In Russia, alcohol consumption has decreased by 15% — Москва 24
Causes of the decrease in production of alcoholic beverages in the Russian Federation are named — Вести
Production of alcohol in Russia for eight months of 2026 decreased by 7.2% — Коммерсантъ
In Russia, production of strong alcohol has decreased since the beginning of the year — Вести
Volumes of alcohol production continue to decline — Ведомости
Production of wine in the Russian Federation decreased by 14.8% over eight months, vodka by 12.1% — Интерфакс

Russia's alcohol production down 7.2% in Jan-Aug 2026

Consensus

Points of divergence

Coverage (14 sources)

Key entities

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