Approximately 220,000 liters of bogus alcohol confiscated in Kuban region since 2025
In a bid to combat the illegal alcohol trade and protect the health of residents and tourists, Krasnodar Krai has been actively taking measures to curb the illicit activity.
The regional head, Veniamin Kondratyev, recently announced these efforts at a meeting focused on combating illegal alcohol turnover. He stated that significant progress has been made in creating a civilized alcohol market in the region.
One of the key initiatives has been the tightening of retail alcohol sales requirements in the region. From 2025, seasonal cafes and restaurants require an additional special permit for legal sales. This is part of a broader effort to ensure that only licensed facilities are selling alcohol. In fact, the number of licensed facilities has increased by 23% over eight years.
Local products meeting quality standards are being promoted in cafes and restaurants, making up 60% of the assortment, and in retail networks, they account for 55%. This move not only supports local producers but also ensures that consumers have access to safe and authentic products.
Despite these efforts, Krasnodar Krai remains a significant producer of illegal alcohol in Russia, responsible for up to 10% of all illegal alcohol in the country. This includes homemade wine and chacha (a traditional spirit). The illegal trade has led to serious public health incidents, including poisonings and multiple deaths from counterfeit or artisanal alcohol products sold under false pretenses.
Authorities in the region have been taking action against this illegal trade. Since the beginning of 2025, over 100 criminal cases have been identified and 220,000 liters of counterfeit alcohol have been seized. These law enforcement actions target non-licensed artisanal alcohol sellers, and penalties for illegal production and sale have been raised.
However, the illegal alcohol market remains problematic, particularly during tourist seasons when informal sales flourish and inspections may be selective or only formal in nature. The persistence of illegal alcohol production in the region contributes to ongoing health risks and fatalities.
Veniamin Kondratyev emphasized the importance of maintaining systemic control in the fight against illegal alcohol. He also highlighted the adoption of a federal law on winemaking to protect and support producers of quality wine.
The efforts to combat illegal alcohol turnover have also resulted in a significant increase in alcohol excise tax revenues to the Kuban budget. Over the past eight years, these revenues have more than fourfold, reaching 12.6 billion rubles per year.
While the fight against illegal alcohol is ongoing, the progress made so far indicates a commitment to creating a safer and more regulated alcohol market in Krasnodar Krai.
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