By 2005 beer consumption in Russia may grow by 17%, wine by 31%, while vodka will decline by 14% versus 2002, according to Business Analytica. The analysts have assessed that in 2002 the Russians have consumed 705 million dekalitres of beer, which is 11% up compared with 2001, and in 2003 the figure may achieve 758 million dekalitres, while 796 million dekalitres in 2004 and 828 million dekalitres in 2005, Beer Union reported. Meanwhile, in 2001 beer sales totalled 635 million dekalitres, while 525 million dekalitres in 2000, 451 million dekalitres in 1999, and 408 million dekalitres in 1998.

25 February, 2003