Mandatory share of Russian wine on shelves may increase to 30%-40% - Industry and Trade Ministry

MOSCOW. July 1 (Interfax) - The possibility of raising the mandatory requirement for the share of Russian wine on store shelves from the currently proposed 20% to 30%-40% is not ruled out, Industry and Trade Minister Anton Alikhanov said.

"If we don't encounter any difficulties [after approving the "Russian shelf" bill], then together with our colleagues from the Agriculture Ministry we'll analyze the number of brands and new wine varieties appearing on the market, and we'll be ready to propose expanding these 20% to 30%-40%, depending on how well our winemakers meet demand," Alikhanov said during a meeting of the Federation Council Economic Policy Committee on Tuesday in response to a senator's suggestion to increase the proposed 20% share.

As reported, the Industry and Trade Ministry has drafted a bill mandating a 20% share for domestic products, including wine, in retail and restaurant wine lists - the so-called "Russian shelf" bill. The draft is currently undergoing interagency review.

The 20% figure in the draft represents a compromise, Alikhanov said. "We view this as a first step. Of course, it's extremely important to prevent, shall we say, a depletion of the product assortment available on shelves. We need to balance this situation," he said. "We're in close contact with colleagues from the Agriculture Ministry," he said.

The bill refers not to 20% by volume, but to 20% of SKUs [stock keeping units]. "This is indeed an important distinction," he said.

"I hope the bill will be voted on this autumn [in the State Duma and Federation Council]," Alikhanov said.