Russian Alcohol Production Down 4.9% Since Start of Year

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Alcohol production in Russia dropped by 4.9% in Q1 2026

Russia produced 224.4 million decaliters of alcohol in the first quarter of 2026, marking a 4.9% decline compared to the same period last year, according to data from the Federal Alcohol and Tobacco Control Service (Rosalkogoltoregulyatsiya), as reported by Kommersant.

Hard liquor production fell by 5.9% year-on-year to 30.7 million decaliters, while fermented beverages decreased by 4.7% to 193.8 million decaliters. Beer production saw the most significant decline, dropping by 16.6% to 167.1 million decaliters. Wine production also fell by 14.3% to 3.2 million decaliters.

In the hard liquor segment, cognac production saw the sharpest decline, falling by 9.1% to 1.3 million decaliters. Vodka production, however, was relatively stable, dropping only 0.2% to 12.8 million decaliters.

Market experts attribute the decrease in alcohol production to a general decline in purchasing power, a crisis in the restaurant industry, and efforts by regional authorities to restrict alcohol sales.