Russian brewing companies output 75.76 million hectoliters of beer in 2003, 7.8% up versus 2002, according to data released by the State Statistics Committee on January 23. It is indicative that the biggest 11 Russian breweries hold 75% of the beer market and only 25% is held by the rest 290 beer makers. According to analysts, some small breweries are to disappear in 2004 if adequate action is not taken. The rumors about reaching the saturation of beer production growth in Russia started to be spread in 2001. However, now analysts say that the potential for the growth of Russian beer output was not exhausted. They also said that Russian beer market is to increase by 6% in 2004. In spite of excise politics of the government, which increase the excise on spirits with 35% and on beer with 47% in the last 3 years, Russians prefer more and more beer. Since 1999 to 2002 the share of beer consumption increased from 13% to 20%.

Now Russia has a great potential for the premium beer segment. According to analysts, Russians prefer high priced premium beers to low priced beers. Premium beer segment held 3.5% share in the beer market in 2003 versus 2% in 2002, Business Analitika revealed. Number one brewery in this segment is again Baltika with 18.3% of premium beer in all its beer sales. Then there come Stary Melnik (14.7%), Bochkaryov (13.8%), Nevskoye (12.1%) and Zolotaya Bochka (8.6%). Regarding beer brands of the premium beer segment, first positions are held by Holsten (17.3%), Efes (16.7), Lowenbrau (12.9%), Miller (10.7%) and Tuborg (9.4%).

27 January, 2004