Wednesday, 25 February, 2026
The Drinks Business, Eugene Gerden
According to recent predictions by the Russian National Credit Ratings Agency (NCR), due to the existing tariffs imposed on products from so-called ‘unfriendly’ countries, and higher prices (caused by increased excise taxes), there may be no foreign wines under 600 rubles (£5.81) left on shelves of Russian supermarkets this year.
Overall, Russia’s total wine imports in 2025 fell to a record low for at least five years, with wine imports from the EU declining by 14% in 2025 to approximately €520 million in sales. Still wines in bottles of up to 2 litres (bringing in total sales of €272.9 million), along with sparkling wines (€246.2 million) were among the major imported items.
As for the tariff situation, in August 2023 Russian authorities increased duties on wines from ‘unfriendly’ countries (mostly Western) from 12.5% to 20%, and then again in the summer of 2024, to 25%, but not less than US$2 per litre. This duty rate will remain in effect until 31 December 2027. In this regard, according to a study conducted by NCR, in 2025 imports of all types of wine to Russia as well as Cognac—decreased by 15-16% compared to 2024.
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