Prices For Vodka And "Fortified" Wines Raised In Belarus

The minimum selling price for imported alcohol has been increased as well.

The Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade raised the marginal minimum prices for spirits, as well as for fortified wines. This is stated in the department’s resolution, which was published today on the national legal Internet portal.

The marginal minimum selling price for 0.5 liters of Belarusian alcohol with a 40% strength (with the cost of consumer packaging) is 4.66 rubles (excluding VAT), and the retail price is 6.17 rubles (VAT included). The minimum selling price for imported alcohol is 9.32 rubles.

In addition, the MART raised the marginal minimum selling price for fruit-fortified fruit wines of improved quality and special technology – up to 2 rubles 84 kopecks (excluding VAT, but with the cost of consumer containers) for 0.7 liters with a strength of 18%.

The marginal minimum selling prices are generally lower than those established in retail trade. Accordingly, it is unlikely that, following the increase in minimum selling prices, prices for strong alcohol and fruit fortified wines will rise in stores.

The resolution notes that the formation of prices takes place taking into account the market conditions, but not below the established marginal minimum prices.

The changes come into force after the official publication.