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NEWS FROM THE INDUSTRY

	The Russian soft drinks market is valued at $2,393 million
	Russia has the largest beer market in Eastern Europe with an average annual consumption per head of 15 litres
	The beer market in Russia has enormous potential for expansion as its huge population lags well behind most other countries in the world, in terms of consumption
	At present Russia's beer market is valued at $1040 million with a volume of 2274 million litres
	In 1999, over 5.5 million litres of alcoholic drinks were consumed in Russia
	Over the past five years the Russian Federation has been the most dynamic market for alcoholic drinks in value
	It is predicted that retail sales of alcoholic drinks will increase 8 - 15%
	The total Russian vodka market is estimated to be 4 billion litres per year
	In 1999, Russia topped the world spirit drinkers league

(Source: BISNIS, US & Foreign Commercial Service and US Department of State 1999)

The Russian Drinks Technology Market

	The Russian market for alcohol production and bottling equipment has expanded as the Russian government drives through a policy of local production
	Russia's alcohol producers are taking up the opportunity of greater governmental support and are shopping around for Western equipment
	There are over 180 spirit plants in Russia producing 1.3 billion litres for spirit annually
	There are over 300 breweries in Russia all demanding the latest in world-wide technology

(Source: BISNIS, US & Foreign Commercial Service and US Department of State 1999)

The Russian Drinks Dispense Market

	In recent years Russia has seen a vast expansion in its hospitality industry
	An estimated 15 million business and tourist visitors from the West or within the CIS visited Russia last year
	As money pours into the industry from the government and private enterprises eager to capitalise on the huge potential of this market, hundreds of new pubs, bars and hotels are planned to open all requiring the latest drinks dispense and point-of-sale equipment
	The Russian enthusiasm for British style pubs and American style bars is on the increase

(Source: BISNIS, US & Foreign Commercial Service and US Department of State 1999)