The expert explained the influence of organic cognac on the alcohol market

The appearance of the first organic certified cognac on the Russian market is unlikely to significantly affect the demand structure, but it may become a new benchmark for the premium segment of alcoholic beverages. Ilya Rusyaev, a business consultant and founder of the Rusyaev Club business community, told Izvestia on March 5.

The expert noted that a significant increase in demand in the short term should not be expected. According to Rusyaev, organic products are more likely to become an additional line in the premium segment for producers and importers. He added that now certification in the Russian Federation has become a legally formalized way to declare the environmental properties of a product without the risk of labeling claims.

"There are also opportunities for Russian manufacturers, but they are limited by a long investment cycle. Vineyards, terroir, and aging take years. In addition, after the tightening of the rules for labeling "eco" and "bio", the space for greenwashing has narrowed. Now brands must either confirm statements with a certificate, or remove such formulations from the label," he said.

In general, the expert assesses the prospects for the organic alcohol segment as moderately positive. According to him, the number of organic producers in Russia is growing, but the development of this market will occur gradually and mainly in the middle and premium price segments.

"The mass consumer is not yet ready to overpay for organic alcohol, and such a product will have to be carefully promoted, given the restrictions on advertising alcoholic beverages. As a result, organic cognac will become a growth point for niche players rather than a driver of restructuring the entire market," he concluded.

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Such a certificate can lead to an increase in the cost of the final product.

On the same day, it was reported that cognac, which received an organic certificate, appeared on the Russian market for the first time. Roskachestvo explained that strict requirements are observed in the production of organic cognac. In particular, when growing grapes, the use of chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides is completely excluded.

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