Russian vodka fans are outraged after the Finance Ministry raised the price of a half-liter bottle by 17 percent, effective New Year’s Day. Russia is the world’s largest vodka producer, accounting for more than 30 percent of global production.
Over 90% of Russian-made vodka is consumed domestically, making it one of the country’s most popular beverages. A bottle will now cost $3.15 (349 rubles) on January 1st, up from $2.70 (299 rubles) before—a 50 ruble increase.
This follows a 6.4 percent increase in June 2024, bringing vodka prices up by a whopping 23.4 percent in just six months.
The vodka price increase is yet another financial blow for Russian consumers who are already dealing with rising prices for basic foods such as butter and potatoes.
Inflation in Russia is around 9.5 percent, prompting the Central Bank to raise interest rates to a record 21 percent. Other alcoholic beverages that have seen price increases include brandy and cognac, both of which have risen by about 17%.
Smokers are also feeling the pinch, with the lowest price for a pack of twenty cigarettes rising five percent to $1.22 (135 rubles). These price increases come after Russia’s retail alcohol market had a successful year, with record sales, according to The Express US.
From January to October 2024, alcoholic beverage sales totaled 184.2 million decaliters.
Russia’s liquor sales volume has reached a new high for the first time since 2017, with tracking data indicating that vodka remains the top seller.
The recent rise in alcohol prices is thought to be related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, sparking speculation that the price increases are helping to fund Russia’s military activities.
In 1981, during the late Brezhnev era, when the Soviet Union was embroiled in Afghanistan, the cost of vices such as alcohol and cigarettes skyrocketed, causing widespread public dissatisfaction, as expressed in a popular song of the time.
The lyrics of this protest song from the past resonated strongly: “Vodka became 7 and 8/ We’re drinking anyway/ We won’t give up/ Tell Ilyich (Lenin)/ We can handle 10/ But if it becomes 25/ Then it’s Revolution again!”
The rise in liquor prices and subsequent fury come as Putin continues to fuel fears that World War III will break out. Putin issued a chilling new warning, stating, “We will always respond to any challenge.”
According to reports, the tyrant delivered the blunt message during a state TV broadcast, aimed at leaders who have supported Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
According to Mail Online, Putin told reporters yesterday that he does not want to scare anyone, but that there are increasing dangers. And we see what our adversary is doing today: escalating the situation.
If they want to, they can live a bad life and escalate.” He went on to say, “We will always respond to any challenge.”
