Russia: Beer sales flat in February 2013

Sales of vodka and other spirits in Russia dropped almost 9 percent in February year on year to 1.13 million hl, the Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) said in a report on April, 2.

Beer sales declined less than 1 percent in February compared to the same period last year, to some 7.30 million hl.

Wine sales dropped 4.5 percent year on year in the reporting period to 0.73 million hl, following 7 percent growth in January. Overall, wine sales increased by 5 percent in the first two months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.

Sales of sparkling wine grew 5 percent in February to 0.22 million hl.

Sales of low-alcohol drinks (defined as those containing less than 9 percent alcohol by volume) fell almost 12 percent year on year in the first two months of 2013, to 0.42 million hl.

03 April, 2013