Russia, Moscow: The increase in the excise rate on beer by 135 % in Russia suggested by the State Duma will lead to a 40 % increase, or RUR5 on average ($0.17) in retail prices for beer in 2005, RBC announced on June 23. As a result, 0.5 liters of beer that costs RUR15 (about $0.51) now will cost RUR20 (about $0.69), a representative of the Union of Russian Brewers told RBC. According to him, the share of the excise in retail prices for beer will reach 41 percent if this indexation is adopted.

25 June, 2004