India Increases Gin Exports to Russia Following Void Left by Departure of Western Brands
(Photo: 652234/Pixabay)
Indian alcohol exporters are broadening their presence in the Russian market, with a specific focus on gin, as they seek to increase their market share after the departure of Western brands, according to RT News.
Recent data from the Indian Ministry of Trade and Industry, as reported by RIA Novosti, reveals that from May to June, Indian gin brands shipped 130,000 decaliters to Russia for the first time.
Following the commencement of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022, a number of well-known Western brands opted to withdraw from the Russian market due to mounting pressure from their respective governments. According to reports, this latest maneuver therefore aims to fill the void left by Western counterparts and elevate the visibility of Indian alcoholic beverages in Russia.
Among the representatives of Indian gin in Russia, major player Radico Khaitan, producer of Jaisalmer Indian Craft Gin, takes the lead, alongside several smaller manufacturers. The prevailing cost of Indian gin in Russia ranges between 3,000 to 4,000 rubles ($32-$42) for a 0.7-liter bottle, according to Aleksandr Stavtsev, head of WineRetail. In contrast, domestic Russian producers reportedly dominate roughly two-thirds of the market with their offerings priced around $11 per liter.
Stavtsev also highlighted that the trajectory of Indian gin’s future will significantly hinge on pricing strategies, while Russian vodka stands poised to compete effectively in terms of both affordability and quality.
Meanwhile, noteworthy growth is evident in the import of Russian vodka to India as the initial six months of the year witnessed a 3.6-fold expansion in Russian vodka imports to India, per RT News.
Veniamin Grabar, the President of Ladoga Group, a producer of Russian vodka shared with RIA that Russian-produced vodka has proven to possess a greater allure for the discerning palate of the Indian consumer in comparison to European vodkas. Highlighting Ladoga Group’s ongoing collaboration with India in the realm of whiskey sales, he mentioned that the company plans to work on the importation of gin.
In April, Spirits giant Pernod Ricard, the owner of Beefeater Gin, faced backlash after it announced it would resume exporting its products to Russia after halting exports in March 2022 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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