Industry observers expect a notable upward adjustment in the selling prices of beer and other alcoholic beverages from several leading brewers. Coverage in the press references Igor Karavaev, chair of AKORT, as a source for these expectations.
Karavaev notes that a group of major brewers are contemplating price hikes in the range of roughly 8 to 15 percent. Retail partners are currently weighing the viability of such increases in their own pricing strategies.
The projected impact on retail channels is likely to unfold gradually. Karavaev points out that distribution networks typically seek to phase in price changes in a way that minimizes disruption for shoppers and maintains steady consumer demand.
Regional media outlets have signaled that the price adjustments could begin on April 1, with market leaders Baltika and AB InBev Efes identified as planning higher price points.
Experts attribute a natural driver for these increases to inflation, rising costs for raw materials, and heightened logistics expenses. CIFRRA’s director, Vadim Drobiz, emphasizes that retail price growth is unlikely to exceed 10 percent given intense competition among retailers, even as producers push for cost recovery.
Additionally, some brewers are discussing higher costs for key ingredients. For instance, certain malt varieties may become scarcer across Europe due to agricultural protests, which could feed into product pricing in various markets. This dynamic underscores the broader industry pressure on input costs rather than marketing alone.
Alexander Stavtsev, who leads WineRetail, explains that part of the price trajectory is tied to promotional budgets. He notes that losses in the marketing allowances offered by international brands, which previously supported deeper discounts, may be contributing to a normalization of price levels.
The analyst also suggests that retailers will respond by selectively adjusting prices in relation to competitors. He adds that local craft breweries could be less affected by the moves of multinational brewers, given their different cost structures and competitive positioning.
Historically, consumers in the region had begun to reduce alcohol consumption, a trend that can influence how price changes impact overall demand. Market participants are watching how persistent shifts in demand, policy, and consumer behavior interact with manufacturers’ pricing decisions.
Overall assessments of the price landscape acknowledge that the situation is evolving. While some observers forecast moderate increases, others anticipate that the balance of forces in the market will shape how quickly and how far prices ultimately rise.