Alcohol consumption in Russia has reached 1999 levels

Russian state statistics have recorded a decrease in alcohol consumption in the country to a minimum since 1999. RIA Novosti writes about this with reference to data from the Unified Interdepartmental Information and Statistical System (EMISS).

Thus, at the end of September, per capita consumption of alcoholic beverages in the country over the last 12 calendar months amounted to 7.84 liters. The last time such a level was recorded was in 1999. Back then, publicly available statistics were based only on official sales data, without taking into account shadow turnover.

Moreover, in the 1990s, according to researchers, the illegal market accounted for up to two-thirds of all alcohol sales in the country.

Let us recall that the Russian government has planned to increase excise taxes on alcoholic beverages from January 1, 2026. This follows from the draft amendments to the Tax Code submitted to the State Duma on September 29. It provides that the rate for still wines will increase by 31%, from the current 113 to 148 rubles per 1 liter of product. For sparkling wines, the correction will be 8.9%, up to 160 rubles, fruit wines and wine drinks – 11.5%, up to 165 rubles per 1 liter. For beer with a strength of 0.5% to 8.6%, mead and cider, there is an increase of 10%, up to 33 rubles.