Vodka Sales Grow in Russia

The volume of retail sales of alcoholic beverages and beer advanced by 2.2 percent in the first quarter of 2003, compared to the corresponding period of last year, the National Alcoholic Association reported.

Retail sales of vodka and liqueur were 50.8m decaliters in the period from January to March 2003, which was 3.3 percent higher than in the first quarter of 2002. Wine sales surged by 5 percent to 14.7m decaliters, cognac sales went up by 5.5 percent to 1.3m decaliters, champaign and sparkling wine sales grew by 6.9 percent to 4.2m decaliters.

Beer sales dropped by 3.2 percent in the reported period to 142.9m decaliters.