During recent years a wine drinking in Russia increases at higher rates comparing with other kinds of alcohol production, such as vodka and beer.

Wine takes third place in general structure of Russian alcohol consumption. Experts say that natural wines are most popular among Russians. Moreover, Russian consumers prefer expensive and high-quality products.

Incidentally, Russian production of wine decreased by 18% last year despite the fact that consumption increased by almost 8%. Official import of wine to Russia increased by 25% in 2005. At that about 51% of supply volumes fall on Moldavia, which keeps leading position in wine import to Russia during many years.

Nevertheless, level of wine consumption per head of population in Russia remains the lowest among developed countries, which gives an opportunity for further development of wine market.

Experts suppose that in conditions of high rates of market growth, tendencies to stabilization and reduction of strong alcohol market, saturation of the beer market, Russian market of wine production may become the most perspective one.
sections: Economics