The Association of Retail Trade Companies, known by its acronym AKORT, has formally asked the government to expand the list of parallel imports to include several well-known alcohol brands. This request was reported by Kommersant, which examined the economic and logistical implications of such a move for the Russian market and for domestic distributors. The discussion centers on whether allowing parallel imports could help stabilize supply during peak retail periods while easing consumer access to premium labels that have been in shorter supply due to sanctions and supply chain disruptions.
The brands identified in the dialogue include Moet, Veuve Clicquot, Finlandia, Jack Daniel’s, and Hennessy. The piece notes that major alcohol distributors are currently managing with existing inventories, and forecasts do not anticipate a significant influx of new stock in the near term. If the parallel import list is expanded, these brands could reappear in retail channels through alternative supply routes, potentially altering competitive dynamics within the market for luxury and widely demanded spirits.
Igor Karavaev, who leads AKORT, highlighted the share of imports that have halted since deliveries to Russia were paused. He stated that 66% of whiskey imports, 63% of rum supplies, 82% of cognacs, and all sparkling wines from the Champagne region were previously supplied by these channels. His analysis emphasizes how a shift to parallel imports might partially restore access to these categories, though the timing and scale of any restoration would depend on logistical arrangements, regulatory compliance, and the capacity of logistics partners to source and deliver goods quickly to shelves in major cities.
According to the publication, efforts to substitute these products directly with Russian production are hampered by two main obstacles. First, there is a lack of rapid production capabilities that would allow for the volume necessary to meet consumer demand during the New Year season. Second, there are persistent challenges in securing the raw materials, production inputs, and international supply chains required to ramp up manufacturing in a timely fashion. These factors collectively complicate any plan to fully compensate for current imports through local production alone, making parallel imports a plausible alternative worth policy consideration.
The government’s press service confirmed to Kommersant that they had received the association’s appeal. The communication included input from large retailers operating in the country, among them X5 Group, Magnit, Lenta, Auchan, and other major market players. The interaction signals a broader dialogue between policy makers and the retail sector about how best to balance consumer access, brand protection, and fiscal controls during a period of supply fragility. Stakeholders emphasize that any policy adjustment would need careful calibration to avoid unintended effects while ensuring competitive pricing and steady availability for customers across regions.
In a related note, President Vladimir Putin has previously stated that it is not necessary to raise alcohol prices significantly as a tool in the fight against alcoholism. The stance reflects a belief that policy approaches should focus more on demand-side interventions and responsible consumption, rather than relying on price signals alone. Observers note that such remarks influence the broader regulatory environment and may shape the timing and design of potential measures related to imports, retail pricing, and consumer access to alcoholic beverages in the coming quarters.