Russia reports Kazakhstan as top buyer of its vodka

Over the first six months of 2025, Russia boosted its vodka exports by almost 40% in monetary terms, as reported by the Agroexport Telegram channel (Russia’s Federal Center for Agricultural Export Development under the Ministry of Agriculture), citing external trade data.

From January to June, Russia exported 16,000 tons of vodka worth $25 million, marking a 21% year-on-year increase in volume and 39% in value. During the same period in 2024, exports totaled 13,000 tons and $18 million.

Kazakhstan emerged as the largest importer of Russian vodka in monetary terms. Other top buyers included Georgia, Azerbaijan, China and Israel.

Moreover, Russia resumed vodka exports to Laos and Malaysia — for the first time since 2023 and 2022, respectively. Deliveries of other alcoholic beverages, including gin and liqueurs, have also increased.

Previously, Kursiv.media reported that Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry proposed limiting liquor sales in the country to specialized stores with restricted working hours.