According to newly released data from the European Union (EU) statistics agency Eurostat, in January 2026, the value of beer imported from the EU into Russia only reached about 763,600 euros, down 7 times compared to 5 million euros in the same period in 2025. This is the lowest level since February 2004 - when this figure was only 741,600 euros.
The decline is widespread, especially in some major beer exporting countries. Beer from Lithuania to Russia decreased by 107 times, to less than 10,000 euros. Imports from the Netherlands decreased by 102 times, almost to 0. Meanwhile, beer from the Czech Republic decreased by 12 times, and from Germany decreased by 7 times.
This development shows that the beer market in Russia is changing strongly, with a significant reduction in supply from Europe.
In the opposite direction, the beer industry in Europe is also facing difficulties. German newspapers quoted data showing that beer sales in this country in 2025 decreased by 6%, to a record low. The trend of weakening alcohol consumption has been prolonged for many years.
The plunge of beer exports to Russia, along with declining domestic demand, is putting more pressure on European beer producers in the context of volatile global markets.
