Time Isn't Water: What 2025 Held for the Alcohol Industry

 — What events and changes in 2025 became pivotal for the industry? And which external events had the greatest impact?

Press service of Rosalkogoltabakkontrol (RATK):

"Excessive production of ethyl alcohol led to the need to introduce a moratorium on issuing licenses for ethyl alcohol production, in order to prevent its diversion to the illegal market."

Alexey Sinelnikov, author of the channel "Wine and People":

"The announcement that the Moscow region would become a winemaking region caused quite a stir. This represents not so much a quantitative change in the industry as a qualitative one. Even the biggest climate skeptics now acknowledge the development of northern winemaking."

Independent beer market expert Alexander Savitsky:

"The main event in the beer industry this year was, of course, the radical increase in duties on imported beer: first to €1, and then to €1.5 per liter."

Elena Tyukina, editor-in-chief of RealBrew, a professional magazine covering beer, cider, and mead:

"In 2025, the brewing industry continued to face total regulation from the state. That means excise tax increases. Regional authorities are deciding on store hours, and we're dealing with restrictions on bars."

— What challenges did the industry face in 2025? How did they deal with them?

Press service of Rosalkogoltabakkontrol (RATK):

"Eliminating the shortage in the absolute ethyl alcohol market. This shortage arose due to a drone attack on the absolute alcohol facilities of Biokhim JSC, which resulted in the suspension of the enterprise's operations."

Alexey Sinelnikov, author of the channel "Wine and People":

"Late frosts in April and May significantly reduced the harvest in Crimea, Stavropol, and the Rostov and Samara regions. Nevertheless, winemakers note that the surviving grapes should produce more interesting wines. Wine prices are increasing by 15-20%."

Founder of UPPA Winery Pavel Shvets:

"It seems to me that what's particularly important is that the number of players in the premium segment is growing. And the main problem is that in the minds of buyers and intermediaries, the premium segment is still 90% imported wine."

Independent beer market expert Alexander Savitsky:

"Inflation, rising logistics costs, anti-alcohol initiatives and, as a result, higher prices for beer products and fewer points of sale."

— What is the main systemic risk in the industry for 2025?

Press service of Rosalkogoltabakkontrol (RATK):

"The alcohol market of the Russian Federation is one of the most stable industries. All risks facing the industry are typically calculated in advance and their impact is promptly mitigated."

Alexey Sinelnikov, channel author Vino i lyudi:

"The wine trade is facing a shortage of Russian-produced sparkling wines. Especially around New Year's. There's a risk that all producers will rush into this niche and quickly create a situation where there's an oversupply of sparkling wines."

Founder of UPPA Winery Pavel Shvets:

"The main systemic risk is that Russian winemakers don't understand the critical importance of devoting significant attention to marketing."

Independent beer market expert Alexander Savitsky:

"Anti-alcohol policies, which in my view won't harm major producers and retail chains at all, but will hit small businesses hard — both small breweries and establishments."

Elena Tyukina, editor-in-chief of RealBrew, a professional magazine about beer, cider, and mead:

"...what we're essentially seeing from federal officials and regional officials alike is mockery of the industry."

— What are the most significant achievements you can highlight from the past year? What can you be genuinely proud of?

Press service of Rosalkogoltabakkontrol (RATK):

"One of the Service's key achievements is the transition of government services to digital format. Digital transformation is the foundation for legitimizing the industry and ensuring consumer safety."

Alexey Sinelnikov, author of the channel "Wine and People":

"There are more media outlets dedicating coverage to wine. Essentially, the media are documenting the fact that winemaking in Russia has come into its own. The Vinograd fairs are drawing increasingly larger audiences. Case in point: Veliky Novgorod has a population of 220,000, yet the fair attracted 224,000 visitors over ten days."

Elena Tyukina, editor-in-chief of RealBrew, a professional magazine about beer, cider, and mead:

"Our brewery secured a patent for adding hops to consumer packaging. Our team also held a conference, and this year we brought together more than 300 participants."

— If you could ask Santa Claus for a gift on behalf of the entire industry this New Year, what would you wish for?

Press service of Rosalkogoltabakkontrol (RATK):

"We believe it's best for market participants themselves to speak on behalf of the entire industry. For our part, the Service wishes everyone robust health, prosperity, new achievements, and continued development for the benefit of our Motherland in the coming New Year!"

Independent beer market expert Alexander Savitsky:

"I would like those responsible for state anti-alcohol policy to shift its format from 'prohibitive' to 'educational.'"

Elena Tyukina, editor-in-chief of RealBrew, the professional magazine about beer, cider and mead:

"I would ask Santa Claus for officials to simply leave the brewing industry alone."

Founder of UPPA Winery Pavel Shvets:

"Gift number one would be allowing remote sales of Russian wine."

For the alcohol industry, 2025 was marked by tighter regulation and increased fiscal pressure: from a moratorium on licenses in the spirits segment to higher excise taxes and import duties. Against this backdrop, the market overall remained resilient, but statistics show declining production and falling sales in several categories, while industry players increasingly warn of the risks that prohibitive policies pose to small businesses and stress the need for more predictable rules.

In wine, economic factors were compounded by climate issues and price increases of 15–20%, while in beer the key development was the rise in duties to €1.5 per liter, which accelerated price growth and reshaped the supply structure. The main takeaway for the year: the industry continues to formalize and digitize, but it needs stable rules and a shift from prohibitive logic to a more rational approach.