The Ladoga group, a Russian producer known for Tsarskaya vodka and Barrister gin, has taken ownership of the Budennovsk whiskey distillery in Stavropol Territory, according to reports from RBC. The acquisition marks a notable expansion for Ladoga-Yug LLC, which operates as part of the broader Ladoga group and has now become the owner of Kalmyk LLC Center-Product, the company behind the Budennovsky plant. These details were confirmed to reporters by the Ladoga group as the deal was finalized. [CITATION: RBC]
Center-Product LLC traces its roots to 1999, and the facility began producing whiskey distillate in December 2023. In the following year, the firm’s revenue declined by roughly 330 million rubles, settling at 646 million rubles, with net profit also dropping. This financial trajectory reflects a challenging period for the distillery, amid shifts in demand and market dynamics for spirits in the region. [CITATION: RBC]
For the last fiscal year, Center-Product LLC reported revenue of 646.9 million rubles, down from 980.6 million rubles in 2022, while net profit slid from 219.6 million to 155.8 million rubles. The figures illustrate a significant year-over-year compression in profitability, aligning with broader industry pressures and cost adjustments in the sector. [CITATION: RBC]
Earlier in the year, Kommersant reported projections that imported alcohol supplies into Russia would rise by about 7 percent, potentially exceeding 520 million liters by the end of 2023. This context highlights ongoing supply chain and import dynamics that can influence domestic producers, including whiskey distilleries under new ownership like Center-Product. [CITATION: Kommersant]
There were also earlier indications that Russian companies began production of alcohol in China, signaling strategies to diversify production bases and supply chains amid evolving regulatory and market conditions. This development sits alongside the Ladoga group’s acquisition as part of a broader narrative on Russian beverage industry moves and investment activity. [CITATION: various]