MOSCOW, April 2 (RIA Novosti) – Sales of vodka and other spirits in Russia dropped almost 9 percent in February year on year to 113 million liters, the Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) said in a report on Tuesday.
Beer sales declined less than 1 percent in February compared to the same period last year, to some 730 million liters.
Wine sales dropped 4.5 percent year on year in the reporting period to 73 million liters, following 7 percent growth in January. Overall, wine sales increased by 5 percent in the first two months of 2013 compared to the same period in 2012.
Sales of sparkling wine grew 5 percent in February to 22 million liters.
Sales of low-alcohol drinks (defined as those containing less than 9 percent alcohol by volume) fell almost 12 percent year on year in the first two months of 2013, to 42 million liters.
