Russia’s EU wine imports fall for third consecutive month in May
The value of EU wine shipments to Russia fell 11% month on month to €36.4 million in May, extending the decline to a third consecutive month. Italy remained the leading EU supplier, while Spain and Latvia recorded sharper reductions.
May shipments decline to €36.4 million
Russia reduced the value of its wine imports from the European Union for a third consecutive month in May, according to Eurostat data reported by RIA Novosti. Shipments were worth €36.4 million, down 11% from April. The figures cover the value of various wines supplied by EU countries to the Russian market.
The decline indicates that the contraction continued after the monthly peak implied by May’s reported rate of change. However, May imports remained above the €33.9 million recorded in January. The available data do not specify changes in shipment volumes, product mix or average prices, so the fall in value cannot be attributed solely to weaker physical demand.
Spain and Latvia post the steepest reductions
Spain recorded the most visible decline among the suppliers identified in the report. The value of Spanish wine delivered to Russia fell from €3 million to €1.4 million. That represents a reduction of more than half and leaves Spanish exporters with a substantially smaller share of the EU trade covered by the May data.
Wine imports from Latvia also halved, reaching €495,200. Latvia may act both as a supplier and as a logistics point for European goods, but the Eurostat figures cited in the report do not distinguish between wine produced domestically and products dispatched from the country. The fall nevertheless shows that the value of the Latvian trade route weakened sharply during the month.
Italy retains the leading position
Italy remained the largest European wine supplier to Russia. Russian imports of Italian wine declined by 7% in May to €12.9 million. Italy therefore accounted for more than one-third of the €36.4 million total, based on the reported values, and its decrease was less pronounced than the overall 11% monthly contraction.
France had fallen to fourth place among the largest wine exporters to Russia in April. No May value for French shipments was provided, preventing a direct comparison with Italy, Spain or Latvia. The report also noted that Spain had dropped to ninth place among the main suppliers in the first quarter of the previous year, suggesting that its position had already been volatile before the latest monthly decrease.
Trade value leaves open questions about volumes
For European wineries and distributors, the third monthly decline points to a more difficult sales environment in Russia, although the data provide only a partial view of the market. Changes in prices, exchange rates, product categories and delivery timing can all affect customs values independently of the number of bottles shipped.
Importers will be watching whether the decline broadens beyond the suppliers highlighted in May and whether Italy can preserve its leading position. Producers in Spain and Latvia face the clearest immediate loss of trade value, while competing suppliers may gain room in specific price segments. Further monthly data will be needed to determine whether the three-month contraction represents a sustained shift in sourcing or a temporary adjustment in orders.
