Vodka Exports to Russia Stopped

Absolut Vodka, a popular vodka brand, has stopped exporting its products to Russia again after facing backlash in its home country, Sweden. The company initially halted exports in March 2022 after Russia invaded Ukraine.

However, its parent company, Pernod Ricard, confirmed that some exports had resumed, which sparked outrage. Pernod Ricard has now announced that it has stopped Absolut Vodka exports again to protect its staff and partners from criticism. The company said it cannot expose its employees and partners to massive criticism in all forms and is exercising its duty of care towards them.

The Swedish Prime Minister and three Swedish artists launched a campaign condemning the export of Absolut Vodka to Russia. Before the war, Pernod Ricard made about 3% of its annual sales on the Russian market. Despite pulling Absolut Vodka, the company will continue to sell some products to Russia.

In 2022, Russia changed its import laws to bypass EU sanctions. The changes allowed the import of goods into Russia without the permission of their authorised importers. Absolut warned that it had no control over the parallel market and its vodka could still get into Russia that way.