The volumes of beer output in Russia decreased by 6.3% for the first two months of the current year compared to the same period of the previous year, according to the data of Goscomstat of Russian Federation. “These are the first results of the unreasonable excise and fiscal policy of the government regarding the beer branch,” the Union of Russian Brewers reported.

The Government of Russian Federation increased the excise tax on beer by 25% with effect from January 01, 2003. The Union considers the “premature” indexing of excise rate on beer damaged not only the brewers but also the state budget, which could have received 20% more taxes from the brewers, if the excise tax hadn’t been increased.

02 April, 2003