Rosalkogolregulirovanie proposed to introduce minimum retail prices (MRP) for beer, the Ministry of Finance is studying this issue, Interfax reports with reference to the director of the department of tax and customs policy of the ministry Alexey Sazonov. He noted that the parties have not yet reached a consensus on the feasibility of the MRC.

“Naturally, small market participants talk about the feasibility of the MRP, while large ones are categorically against it,” added Sazonov. Today in Russia minimum prices are set for vodka, cognac and sparkling wines (champagne).

The head of Rosalkogolregulirovanie, Igor Aleshin, announced the idea of introducing MRP for beer in September 2018. He explained that participants in the brewing market approached the department with such a proposal. In October of the same year, the initiative was supported by the public organization of small and medium-sized businesses “Opora Rossii” (representing the interests of 1,500 breweries, 3% of the market). The organization sent a corresponding letter to the Ministry of Finance. President of Opora Alexander Kalinin explained that the MRP for beer and beer drinks would eliminate the risks of the distribution of drinks masquerading as beer, excise-free beer products and gray imports.

In February, the Ministry of Finance published a draft government resolution, according to which the ministry will have the right to set minimum prices for all alcohol. The department emphasized that it does not yet plan to use the new tool: the ministry has no plans to introduce MRPs for new types of alcohol.

Rosalkogolregulirovanie proposed to introduce minimum prices for beer