US regions want to boycott Russian vodkas; know if measurement is possible

Russian-made New York alcohol is the latest target in the growing backlash against the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

So far, officials in Ohio, Utah and New Hampshire have urged liquor stores to pull Russian-made or Russian-branded products from shelves, a move largely aimed at vodka as it is more associated with the country.

Utah Governor Spencer Cox on Saturday called on state-owned liquor stores to “remove all Russian-made and Russian-branded products,” explaining that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is a “serious violation of human rights.” ”.

New Hampshire Governor Chris Sununu made a similar announcement, also calling for the removal of “Russian and Russian-branded spirits”.

These moves are largely symbolic – and may even miss the mark – as very few brands imported into the United States still produce the liqueur in Russia.

Many of the best-selling vodka brands that have their origins in Russia are now distilled in several other countries – including the United States.

For example, some pub owners are protesting the invasion by dumping Stoli Vodka. The problem is that it only has the name from Russian – which is loosely translated as “capital” due to its origins in Moscow. The vodka is actually made in Latvia, and the company’s headquarters are in Luxembourg – a member of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) that spoke out against the Russian invasion.

In a statement to CNN Businessthe Stoli Group said it “unequivocally condemns the military action in Ukraine and stands ready to support the Ukrainian people, our teams and partners”.

“For decades, the Stoli Group has supported the marginalized and those at risk of unwarranted aggression. We are now with all Ukrainians and Russians asking for peace,” a company spokesperson said.

Smirnoff is another brand that is being confused as being Russian. Although it has its heritage in 19th century Russia, the company is owned by British beverage giant Diageo and is manufactured in Illinois, United States.

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine was more targeted with his announcement. Also on Saturday, he urged the state’s nearly 500 liquor stores to “cease both the buying and selling of all vodka made by Russian Standard, the only Russian-owned distillery abroad with vodka sold in Ohio.”

Russian Standard, along with the lesser-known Green Mark vodka, are one of the few brands of alcohol imported from Russia and sold in the United States. Its ‘parent company’, Roust International, is owned by Roustam Tariko, a Russian oligarch who also owns Russian Standard Bank. The liquor company did not immediately respond to a request for comment. CNN Business.

These boycotts are largely symbolic because Russian-made vodka accounts for a very small percentage of the roughly $7 billion in annual sales of spirits, according to the Distilled Spirits Council (Discus), a national trade organization that represents spirits manufacturers.

Less than 1% of the vodka consumed in the United States is produced in Russia. In fact, more than half of all vodka consumed domestically is made in the US, according to data from IWSR Drinks Market Analysis, a global company that tracks alcohol sales.

Vodka imported from Russia has been in decline for several years and has dropped 79% since 2011, Discus pointed out.

Source: CNN Brasil

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