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Vodka price increase: Russians are threatened with unrest because of new costs!
Vodka prices in Russia will rise by 17% at the beginning of 2025. Inflation and high taxes are putting a heavy burden on households.
Vodka price increase: Russians are threatened with unrest because of new costs!
The price of vodka in Russia has experienced a dramatic increase since January 1, 2025. A half-liter bottle now costs 349 rubles (about 3.10 euros), an increase of 17 percent compared to 299 rubles. Given an average salary of around 800 euros, this price premium is noticeable for many Russians, especially since vodka consumption has risen to record levels in recent years. According to Russian state broadcaster RBC, a total of 625 million liters of vodka were sold between January and October 2024, an increase of 15 percent since 2017, as well Reporting from VOL.AT proven.
The reasons for these price increases lie in Russia's crisis-ridden budget, which is under pressure due to the high military spending caused by the war in Ukraine. In order to plug the financial holes, the Russian Finance Ministry has raised taxes on vodka and other luxury foods. This happened in June 2024 with an initial increase of 6.4 percent. In addition to higher vodka prices, cigarettes have also become more expensive, putting a further burden on consumers. A pack of cigarettes now costs 135 rubles (1.20 euros), an increase of 5 percent. Inflation is currently reaching around 9 percent and is also affecting staple foods, some of whose prices have risen dramatically - potatoes have risen in price by 95 percent and butter by 36 percent, according to information from Bild.de.
Historical parallels
The discontent among Russians is palpable and reminiscent of historical events. A similar rise in the price of vodka under then-Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev in 1981 led to widespread discontent. At that time, vodka prices rose by 18 percent, sparking a public outcry. Russians have reportedly rediscovered a Lenin-era protest song that expresses how the people react to price increases. The current situation could further exacerbate imbalances in Russian society and fuel anti-government sentiment as Russians hope for a possible turnaround in pricing policy.