OREANDA-NEWS   Retail sales of spirits — vodka, cognac and alcoholic beverages stronger than 25 degrees — increased by 7.5 percent in 2022, to 6.8 liters per person per year. This is stated in the study of the audit and consulting network FinExpertiza.

At the same time, wine sales decreased (by 5.5 percent compared to 2021) — from 6.6 to 6.2 liters per inhabitant of the country per year, and beer sales remained unchanged (52.2 liters per person per year). The increase in sales of strong alcohol, including gin, rum and liqueurs, occurred against the background of the withdrawal of many foreign brands from the Russian market.

"Probably, some consumers could buy imported alcohol for the future. At the same time, vodka and cognac rose in price less than wine and beer, which also affected the growth of consumption. In addition, the statistics are affected by the ongoing whitewashing of the alcohol market and the reduction of counterfeit goods," explained Aghvan Mikaelyan, a member of the Board of Directors of FinExpertiza. He added that drinking alcohol is traditionally perceived by many people as the easiest and most affordable way to reduce anxiety and stress.

Earlier it became known that in the second quarter of 2022, Russians began to behave as during quarantine restrictions and exchanged cultural leisure for harmful consumption — sweets, alcohol and tobacco. Spending on the purchase of such goods increased by 18.6 percent compared to 2021. Such a change of preferences occurs against the background of stress and economic uncertainty.