A decrease in demand for vodka was recorded in Russia. Its sales fell by 8% in six months

Retail sales of vodka in the first half of the year amounted to 344 liters, which is 4% lower than in the same period in 2020 and 3% lower than in 2019. About it informs RBC with reference to the data of the rating agency NRA.

An even more noticeable drop in vodka sales – almost 8% compared to January-June 2019 – was recorded by the research company GfK, which tracks purchases of about 20 thousand households across the country.

Retailers also announced a decrease in demand for the drink. The chain of grocery stores “Azbuka Vkusa” notes that over six months, sales of vodka in physical terms decreased by 11% compared to 2020. By January-June 2019, they fell by 1.6%.

Falling demand for vodka is a long-term trend, indicated in GfK. The share of households buying vodka has been declining since 2016. This year, the share of families who bought vodka at least once in six months was 32%. Before the pandemic, in 2019, this figure was 35%. The average alcohol consumption per family remained unchanged – almost 6.5 liters per year.

By data analysts of the NRA, last year vodka sales were supported by a pandemic: in the first half of the year, 360 million liters were sold against 357 million in the same period of 2019. The agency does not expect an increase in vodka sales on the domestic market in the coming years. Taking into account the stability of consumption of the drink and the demographic structure, in 2021 retail sales of vodka may decrease to 732 million liters, and by 2024 – drop to 720 million liters.

The decrease in demand is influenced by government regulation measures – high excise taxes, restrictions on trade and advertising on the Web. In addition, the consumption of vodka is influenced by an increase in the number of people who follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle (HLS), indicated experts. Because of this, the consumption of strong alcohol is reduced, but the culture of wine consumption is developing.

Last December, the project “Sober Russia” issued a report, from which it became clear that more than 85% of able-bodied Russians consume alcohol. According to experts, 70% of deaths in this group are associated with alcoholism. The most popular drinks were beer (8.5 billion liters per year) and vodka (1 billion liters).

At the end of 2020, vodka consumption in the country has grown by 2% – up to 4.9 liters. Most of all drink, according to the figures, in Sakhalin (12.4 liters per year), in the Magadan region (11.6 liters), as well as in the republics of Komi and Chukotka. Experts predicted that in 2021 the prices for vodka may rise within 15%. Now it is sold at an average of 294 rubles per 0.5 liter bottle.