Euromonitor, the British researcher, summed up the results of the Russian strong drinks market activity in 2006. The wine and vodka sales went down 7.5% (down to 102.5 million decalitres) and 3.9% (down to 175.6 million decalitres), respectively, yet in terms of money the sales grew by 2.2% (up to $7.4 billion) and 11.2% (up to 11.3 billion), respectively.

In the meantime, the beer and low-alcohol drinks sales rose by 10.4% (up to 968 million decalitres) and 17% (up to 54.7 million decalitres) (in terms of volume), respectively, and by 22% (up to $16.4 billion) and 33% (up to $1.8 billion) (in terms of money), respectively.

The vodka market players seem undaunted by the low sales figures as they are hoping to make up for the loss by promoting brands that are more expensive. Euromonitor predicts that the market activity will come to $11.9 billion in 2007 and to $11.4 billion in 2011, reports Vedomosti newspaper.