Beer sales in Krasnodar Krai fell 4.4% in the first nine months of 2026

Beer sales in Krasnodar Krai, the southern Russian region also known as Kuban, fell in the first nine months of 2026, according to regional data reported by RBC Krasnodar.

The volume of beer sold in the region from January through September totaled 177.5 million liters, down from 185.6 million liters in the same period a year earlier, the outlet reported on Oct. 14, citing the regional Department of Consumer Services and Alcohol Market Regulation. That was a drop of 8.1 million liters, or 4.4%.

The figures point to weaker demand in one of Russia’s most active tourism regions during the peak summer season. Regional officials said the trend reflected a mix of changing consumer habits, including a shift toward lower-strength drinks, and a broader reduction in alcohol consumption.

Beer remained the largest alcohol category sold in the region by volume, but it was not the only one to decline. Sales of wine products reached 27.9 million liters in January-September, down 5% from 29.4 million liters a year earlier. The department said the wine segment had shown a more restrained decline than other categories and was gradually moving closer to last year’s level.

Vodka sales also edged lower. The department said 17.5 million liters were sold in the region during the nine-month period, compared with 17.9 million liters in the same stretch of 2025, a decline of 2.2%.

The only category to post growth was the group that includes cider, perry and mead. Sales in that segment rose 4.6% to 4.2 million liters, according to the department.

Across all alcohol categories, total sales in Krasnodar Krai came to 270 million liters in January-September, compared with 276.9 million liters a year earlier. The department described the overall decline as slight, but said it reflected several factors affecting consumer demand in the region.

Roman Kurinny, head of the regional department, said the tourist profile of Krasnodar Krai also played a role. He said seasonality and the pattern of resort traffic affected sales volumes, and that the intensity of visitor flows this year differed from 2025, contributing indirectly to more restrained purchasing behavior.

The department also said per capita alcohol consumption in the region was 4.27 liters for the first nine months of 2026, down 2.7% from 4.39 liters in the same period last year.

Earlier data cited by RBC Krasnodar showed that retail alcohol sales in the region reached 158 million liters in the first half of 2026. Beer accounted for 117.3 million liters of that total, while sparkling wine sales stood at 5.8 million liters, still wine at 10.9 million liters, vodka at 11.7 million liters, and cider, perry and mead at 2.6 million liters.