The Moscow restaurant industry has a prominent voice in Sergei Mironov, the city’s food sector ombudsman and founder of the Myaso&Ryba restaurant chain. He notes that the alcohol market in Russia has undergone a deliberate reshaping and that beverage prices have stabilized after a turbulent period. New brands have emerged on the national scene, arriving through parallel and vertical import channels that bypass traditional distribution models and keep shelves stocked even amid tighter sanctions.
Mironov explained that the current alcohol landscape is sustained by a mix of supply routes, with parallel imports and vertical imports playing crucial roles in delivering products to the market. He remarked that new brands have entered the market but have not yet taken a dominant foothold, suggesting ongoing adjustment rather than an abrupt shift. He also indicated that discussions were underway with NSN regarding the evolving situation.
The expert insists that the sanctions atmosphere surrounding the alcohol sector has not produced direct hardship for consumers. He pointed out that it remains possible to acquire beverages from brands that have managed to establish a visible presence, even if they have not yet achieved broad mainstream recognition inside Russia. This resilience reflects a market that has learned to adapt rather than concede ground to disruptions.
According to Mironov, the industry has been reformatted in response to external pressures. While the market experienced an initial downturn, it subsequently recovered, and the consumer experience largely remained stable. The changes are perceptible more in supply dynamics than in everyday purchasing behavior, suggesting that ordinary shoppers may not perceive the ongoing transformations on a day-to-day basis.
Looking ahead, forecasts about alcohol pricing around the New Year point to stability in the near term, though some analysts expect a gradual uptick as the calendar turns to January. The broader trajectory hints at incremental changes in cost structures as the market recalibrates to new import patterns and regulatory realities.
There have been recent references to intensified penalties for illegal alcohol trafficking, signaling a renewed emphasis on enforcement. The overall picture remains one of a market seeking balance between regulatory expectations, import flexibility, and consumer access, with many players adjusting to the new normal and customers continuing to find familiar brands alongside newcomers.