ASTANA (Interfax-Kazakhstan) – The government of Kazakhstan sets minimum retail price for vodka and other spirits for 2015 at 1300 tenge per litre (1$=185.65 tenge), according to a government resolution published Thursday in the official mass media. The resolution comes into force ten calendar days after its official publication.

Kazakhstan Astana - Supermarket Vodka
(Credit: Richard Messenger)

In 2014, the minimum retail price for spirits was at 1120 tenge per litre.

According British International Wine & Spirit Research, Kazakhstan is ranked 7th in the world by vodka consumption. The total consumption of vodka made 4.44 bln litres in the world in 2012, while Kazakhstan consumed around 0.1 bln litres or 5.9 litres per capita.

Russia is number one in the list. Russians consumed in 2012 almost 2 bln litres of vodka: 13.9 litres per capita. The U.S. were ranked second with the total consumption of alcohol standing at over 0.6 bln litres (1.9 l/p).

Uzbekistan is ranked fifth with the total consumption of 0.1 bln litres of vodka (4.4 l/p).

After declines witnessed in 2008 in total volume and current value terms, alcoholic drinks in Kazakhstan returned to growth over the period 2010-2013. Clear trends in consumer habits and preferences were observed and these were reflected in players’ distribution and marketing activities, all of which helped bring stability and increased transparency within the alcoholic drinks industry. The number of juvenile alcoholics in Kazakhstan is rapidly increasing despite the state’s efforts to curb the nation’s alcohol drinking habit.