July 30, 2022

A Debilitating Drought


A Debilitating Drought
ID, please. Pexels, Isabella Mendes.

After many companies have left the Russian market following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, restaurants are expecting to experience shortages of foreign liquor.

After several companies, such as Carlsberg, Heineken, and Diageo, left Russia, the supply of many popular liquor brands, such as Captain Morgan, Johnnie Walker, and Smirnoff, are dwindling. The market’s current supply of foreign liquors is predicted to last only until the end of August or September. 

In the face of expected shortages, many restaurants and bartenders are looking to take advantage of similar imports (read: grey market versions) from Armenia, Kazakhstan, and other locations. However, according to some, parallel imports will result in a price increase of 30-35%.

Sources also said that if grey market imports are prohibited, counterfeit liquors will appear. There is also the possibility of an increase in local production.

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