The Ministry of Finance proposes to raise prices for vodka from January 1

As follows from the draft , it is proposed to increase the minimum retail prices for vodka by 7.4% - up to 261 rubles per half-liter bottle. Now the minimum price for vodka is 243 rubles.

It is proposed to raise the minimum prices for brandy by the same amount - up to 348 rubles. And to increase the price of cognac by 7.6% (up to 480 rubles). Now the minimum prices for these spirits are 324 and 446 rubles.

Changes are proposed to be made to the order of the Ministry of Finance dated October 7, 2020 No. 235n "On the setting of prices not lower than which purchases (excluding imports), supplies (excluding exports) and retail sale of alcoholic beverages with a strength of over 28 percent are carried out." According to the order, it is also proposed to increase the wholesale prices for strong alcoholic beverages.

Earlier, experts recorded a 4% decrease in vodka sales in the Russian Federation in the first half of 2021 compared to the same period last year. This is due to the growth in sales of alcoholic beverages during the period of self-isolation in April-May 2020, when Russians began to massively celebrate long weekends.