Russian vodka exports rebound 2.4%
The beleaguered Russian vodka industry saw year-on-year exports grow 2.4% to US$39 million for the first five months of 2016, the first signs of recovery for the category.
Russian vodka exports have shown the first signs of recoveryAccording to figures from Russian news agency TASS, from January to May 2016 the sector registered 30.9% year-on-year volume gains, reaching 0.78 million decalitres.
Commonwealth of Independent State (CIS) countries drove the growth, with value exports up 76.7% on an annualised basis to US$10.6m. In volume terms, exports soared more than 140%.
While non-CIS countries saw 9% volume gains, value sales slid 11.5% to $28.4m.
CIS countries include the key vodka markets and former Soviet states of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The group also encompasses Ukraine, which continues to be affected by strained relations with Russia.
The latest figures follows data released in February 2016 which showed Russian vodka and spirits exports fell to a 10-year low in 2015.
