Statistics show that people pawn our necklaces mainly “for warmth.”
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Seven problems, one answer, says the Russian proverb. In fact, for many of us, the answer to problems and other problems in life is always the same. Then another, and one more…
And here is the result: as FinExpertiza analysts calculated, last year the record for sales of strong alcohol in Russia was broken. These are vodka, cognac, whiskey, gin and other drinks at a temperature above 25 degrees. Over the course of a year, the average Russian consumed (or rather, abused) 7.2 liters of strong alcohol. And sales of drinks with a temperature above 25 degrees in 2023 increased by 3.6%.
Statistics show that people pawn our necklaces mainly “for warmth.” After all, the coldest regions also turned out to be the ones that drink the most. In Karelia, Komi, as well as in the Sakhalin, Magadan and Arkhangelsk regions, sales of strong alcohol per capita doubled the Russian average. But people drink less in Chechnya, Ingushetia and Kabardino-Balkaria. And not because it’s hot there (well, you get the idea).
Sales of wine and beer also increased last year. But not much: we haven’t set any records yet.
Why did our people lean so heavily on strong alcohol last year? Experts attribute this not only to difficult times, but also to… import substitution.
In the past two years, many foreign alcohol producers have left Russia. Absolut vodka, Ballantines whiskey, Olmeca tequila, Beefeater gin and other delicacies are no longer officially supplied to Russia. And what passes for parallel imports has seriously increased in price. Therefore, Russia has sharply increased the production of its own whiskey, rum, gin and other “elite” alcoholic beverages. It costs less than imported ones, even if you compare prices with pre-sanctions prices. That’s why Russians have relied heavily on affordable domestic whiskey and gin. And at the same time for cognac. Sales of cognac during the year increased by 10%, other strong drinks with an alcohol content of more than 25 degrees – by 21.5%. And, by the way, they began to drink less vodka. Although not by much: sales of “white” decreased by 0.2% during the year.
Another reason for the growth in sales of strong alcohol is the situation of outbound tourism. Holidays abroad have become much more expensive for Russians. And if before our man went abroad and enjoyed overseas tequilas and whiskeys, now he does the same on vacation, but in his homeland.
“In 2023, some Russians switched from vodka to cognac, rum, gin and other high-proof drinks, the domestic production of which has expanded considerably,” says Agvan Mikaelyan, member of the board of directors of FinExpertiza. – These drinks are usually consumed diluted and serve as a base for cocktails: the gradual abandonment of the consumption of pure strong alcohol is a global trend that Russia generally follows.
