The Russian Ministry of Agriculture supports the extension of 20 percent tariffs on the import of wine from unfriendly countries into 2024, stated the head of the department, Dmitry Patrushev, with his words reported by RIA Novosti.
The decision to increase the import duties on wines from 12.5 to 20 percent was explained as a countermeasure against the actions of Western states. The Ministry of Finance claimed this measure was being developed to "protect domestic producers," with a primary focus on preventing significant price increases for consumers. The increased duties were initially introduced until the end of 2023.
"We support the proposal to extend this measure beyond January 1, 2024, in any case," clarified Patrushev.
Following the increase in duties, Dmitry Kiselev, the Chairman of the Board of the Association of Grape Growers and Winemakers of Russia (AGWWR), suggested that the authorities might ban the import of wines from unfriendly countries. "I think that we will not stop there," he said, adding that it would be strange if, during the Great Patriotic War, the Soviet Union had purchased German Riesling.
Alcohol importers warned that the higher duties imposed by the authorities would lead to increased wine prices. Meanwhile, experts speculated that the lack of competition in the market could negatively affect the quality of Russian wines.
