The expert predicted an increase in competition due to vegan alcohol

The first vegan alcohol certified in Russia may become an additional tool for competition among producers in the market. Ilya Rusyaev, a business consultant and founder of the Rusyaev Club business community, told Izvestia on February 18.

He clarified that for the first time, Roskachestvo issued a certificate for alcoholic beverages under the Roskachestvo — Vegan system. The recipient was Bashspirt JSC, the certification concerned alcohol, balms and vinegar.

According to the business analyst, the vegan status of alcohol confirms the absence of certain technological additives. He explained that in traditional production, substances of animal origin such as gelatin, egg white or fish glue are often used to lighten drinks.

"In other words, vegan alcohol is not a new category of beverages to taste, but a confirmed guarantee along the production chain, including the absence of cross—contamination with animal components," Rusyaev emphasized.

Red nose: alcohol consumption is falling in Russia

The decrease in demand is attributed to an increase in excise taxes and rising prices

According to the expert, such labeling can attract a wider audience, since the "vegan" label serves as a clear guideline about the composition and origin of the product. This is especially true for products with complex formulations, such as wines, balms, and tinctures, where the ingredients are not always obvious to the buyer.

"Against this background, the new labeling will work as a tool to compete for shelf space and attention within already competitive segments. Some of the demand may flow to certified items from the usual ones, but within the category, for example, wine to wine, tinctures to tinctures," Rusyaev said.

He also noted that a large-scale reorientation of large-scale production should not be expected, but the launch of individual projects looks quite likely.

"The logical scenario for large players is the certification of individual product lines, where it is technologically easier and commercially feasible. The first certificate is not binding on the market by itself, but it sets a precedent," Rusyaev concluded.

On February 18, Roskachestvo reported that the first vegan alcohol was certified in Russia. The manufacturer has confirmed the conformity of products with GOST, which sets strict criteria for production processes and excludes the presence of impurities of animal components, even at the molecular level.

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