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In connection with the coronavirus and the introduction of quarantine, many of my friends were panic-stricken. Forced self-isolation forced people to sweep buckwheat and toilet paper from store shelves, stock up on food products for several months in advance.
With food and toilet paper, of course, but what about alcohol? Do they need to be purchased for self-isolation or can it be purchased as needed? Let’s discuss this together today, based on data from open sources.
Has the demand for alcohol increased during quarantine?
The demand for alcohol in Russia has recently increased significantly. But this situation does not indicate that the Russians began to drink more. The growth in alcohol sales has several reasons:
- People buy alcohol in advance so as not to leave their homes once again and celebrate the spring holidays normally.
- Many people use vodka instead of sanitizers, which have recently disappeared from the shelves of pharmacies and stores due to high demand.
- The third possible reason for the preliminary purchase of alcohol in large quantities is the fear of citizens in the increase in prices for alcoholic products.
Important! During the quarantine, the demand for vodka has grown by an average of 31%. Only in the last week (from 6 to 12 April) demand increased by 21%.
Demand also increased for whisky. In the period from March 9 to 15, Russians began to buy 15% more whiskey than usual, and already from March 16 to 22, sales increased by 33%.
According to the MK newspaper, the end of March, namely from April 23 to April 29, was distinguished by an increase in demand for whiskey (by 47%).
How the demand for various types of alcoholic products increased during quarantine:
During the 3 weeks of quarantine, the demand for beer has also increased. In the first week of self-isolation, it grew by 15%, in the second – by 14%, and in the third – by as much as 25%. The growth in sales of the foamy drink is associated not only with the holidays.
Many people like to knock over a glass of light in the evenings, but since it has become impossible to do this in public places, all law-abiding citizens, along with alcoholic provisions, move to their home.
Increase in demand for wine during the quarantine period:
- the first week – 11%;
- second week – 6%;
- third week – 5%.
Note! If we compare the demand for alcohol during quarantine in Russia and the United States, it can be noted that in the United States they began to buy alcohol 63% more than usual.
How alcohol stores work during the period of self-isolation
Many alcohol stores in Russia operate as usual during the quarantine period. The conditions and requirements for visiting them have slightly changed (wearing masks and gloves, staying in the store for several people), but these factors did not affect sales volumes.
Ban on the sale of alcoholic products in Russia
But there are regions in Russia where restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages have come into force. So, for example, from April 2, in the Republic of Khakassia, you can buy alcohol only strictly from 10.00 to 15.00. In Bashkiria, it is forbidden to sell alcoholic products from 18.00 to 10.00.
This ban applies not only to grocery and specialized stores selling alcohol, but also to public catering establishments that have not closed for quarantine.
Sales restrictions have also been introduced in regions such as:
- Leningrad region;
- Perm region;
- Yakutia;
- Karelia.
Restrictions on the sale of alcohol were also introduced in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, now you can buy alcohol only from 10.00 to 18.00. A complete ban on the sale of alcoholic products was introduced in the Trans-Baikal Territory.
Restrictions on the sale are introduced in order to regulate the consumption of alcohol by Russians. This is such a weak variation of the “dry law” that regulates the healthy and rational use of vodka and other alcoholic beverages in quarantine.
State authorities are seriously concerned about the increase in demand for alcohol, so they are taking such measures.
For example, in the Leningrad region, from March 31 to April 5, all divisions and departments of alcohol markets in this region were closed:
- 65 stores of the Krasnoe&Beloe network;
- 34 branches of the network “Degrees”;
- 22 Rosal stores;
- 15 “Fragrant World”.
From April 6, all stores began to work again. So far, there is no talk of stopping the sale of alcohol or closing it, since the ban on the sale will provoke an increase in demand for illegal alcohol.
The sale of alcohol was completely stopped in Yakutia, namely in Zhatay and Yakutsk, from March 31 to April 6. The ban was introduced due to the increase in crime due to alcohol intoxication.
The ban on the sale of draft beer was introduced in 3 regions of Russia:
- Crimea;
- Orenburg region;
- Lipetsk region.
Note! Russia is not the only country that has introduced a ban on the sale of alcohol. The sale of alcoholic beverages during the quarantine is completely prohibited in Zimbabwe and South Africa, and sales restrictions have been introduced in Australia, many European countries and the United States.
Will the price of alcoholic beverages rise in spring 2020
From January 1, 2020, the Ministry of Finance approved new minimum prices for alcoholic beverages. Order No. 225n of the Ministry of Finance https://cdnimg.rg.ru/pril/180/25/22/56893.pdf notes that the cost of alcohol above 28% will increase.
That is, prices will rise only for vodka, brandy, cognac and all types of alcoholic products, with a strength above 28%.
Table: new minimum retail prices for alcohol according to order No. 225n.
According to the order, the cost of vodka increased by 2019% compared to 7 (from 215 to 230 rubles). Brandy and other drinks made from various types of distillate will rise in price from 307 rubles (in 2019) to 315 rubles. The minimum cost of cognac in 2020 is 433 rubles (in 2019 – 388 rubles).
The increase in alcohol prices was provoked by an increase in excise rates and inflation. The increase in the cost of purchasing ethyl alcohol also played a role in the increase in prices.
The minimum retail price for alcohol in Russia according to the order of the Ministry of Finance 225n:
In 2020, there is no increase in prices for beer and wine. During the quarantine period, the cost of these drinks remained the same, despite the increase in demand.
The Ministry of Finance does not predict an increase in the cost of alcohol due to excessive hype and an increase in demand for alcohol against the background of the coronavirus!
What alcohol is better to drink during self-isolation
It has been scientifically proven that drinking alcohol cannot save a person from coronavirus. During quarantine, it is undesirable to drink champagne. Due to lack of physical activity and overeating, drinking a carbonated alcoholic beverage can cause muscle weakness, weight gain. And who wants to get fat?
In small quantities you can drink:
- cognac;
- dry red wine;
- whiskey.
But it is worth remembering that drinking alcohol negatively affects the body, lowers the immune system and contributes to the development of many life-threatening diseases.
Therefore, it is advisable to treat yourself to fresh fruits and vegetables instead of alcohol in quarantine, which will help strengthen your immune system.
After the introduction of quarantine, alcohol sales increased, but it is surprising that the Russians did not drink anymore. That is, alcoholic products are simply purchased in advance, so to speak, for the future.
Many note that the increase in the sale of vodka is due precisely to the fact that the population of Russia deliberately uses it as an antiseptic, and not for its original purpose.
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Take care of yourself!
Do you think such a long quarantine will affect the amount of alcohol consumption in Russia? And what are you doing during self-isolation?