According to Rosalkogolregulirovanie (RAR), from July 1, 2012, prices for spirits in Russia will increase by about 20-30%. The new prices were set in accordance with the market realities of the regions - when determining prices, RAP took into account the opinion of manufacturers and wholesalers.
From July 1, 2012, the minimum cost of ethyl alcohol in Russia will be approximately 300 rubles. As expected, the cost of a 0.5 liter bottle of vodka for retail customers will be at least 125 rubles (previously - 98 rubles), for wholesalers this price will be 109 rubles.
The price increase will affect cheap cognacs and brandy. The minimum selling price of a 0.5 liter bottle of cognac for manufacturers will be 174 rubles, for wholesale buyers it is 191 rubles, and for retail buyers - 219 rubles. A similar rise in prices will also affect tinctures and other alcoholic beverages, the strength of which exceeds 28 degrees. At the same time, the rise in prices will practically not affect expensive imported products.
From January 1, 2013, it is planned to increase the alcohol excise tax rate by another 30%. It is likely that producers will start raising alcohol prices in advance. Thus, by the end of 2012, the minimum price of vodka in Russian stores may reach 170-180 rubles.
While prices for domestic alcohol will rise, imported products may, on the contrary, become cheaper. As experts predict, this scenario is quite likely due to Russia's fulfillment of its obligations to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). These obligations provide for a reduction in duties on alcoholic beverages imported from countries that are members of the WTO. For example, if in 2012 the duty on a half-liter bottle of imported beer is 30 eurocents, then by 2018 it may decrease to 1 eurocent. Duties on imported wine should be significantly reduced by 2016 - from 20 to 12.5 euro cents. Experts do not exclude that in order to protect the domestic market, the Russian government will introduce a state monopoly on the wholesale trade in alcoholic beverages.
