Soyuzprod, which entered India in June 2026, has established distribution across 13 states through ROSIND and local distribution partners. It plans to expand its presence to 21 states over the next six months, with around 35% of the cities it currently covers in Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets.
More than 160 Russian alcoholic beverage manufacturers are assessing opportunities in India, spanning spirits, beer and flavoured alcoholic beverages. These companies are at different stages of market evaluation, regulatory processes and commercial development, according to Bobby Kohli, Executive Director of ROSIND, the Indian partner of the Russian Export Centre.
The interest comes as Russian producers look beyond exports towards building a more sustained presence in India through distribution networks, local partnerships and access to consumers beyond the country’s largest urban centres.
“Based on our understanding of the market and interactions with Russian producers, more than 160 alcobev manufacturers are currently assessing opportunities in India. The interest spans spirits, beer and flavoured alcoholic beverages, with companies at different stages of market evaluation, regulatory processes and commercial development,” said Kohli.
Other Russian producers, including Tatspirtprom, brewers Baltika and Afanasy, and sparkling-wine producer Abrau-Durso, are also evaluating India at different stages of market assessment, regulatory approvals and commercial development.
Export growth provides the backdrop
The growing interest follows a sharp rise in Russian alcohol exports to India. Russian vodka exports to India increased 240% between January and November 2025 compared with the corresponding period a year earlier, according to data from India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, as analysed by RIA Novosti.
Russian spirits exports to India also increased nearly four-fold in value and three-fold in volume during the same period, according to Agroexport, the Russian government’s centre for agricultural exports.
The figures provide a backdrop to the growing interest in India among Russian producers. The next stage of market development will depend on companies’ ability to establish distribution, work with local partners and build consumer awareness in a market with varied regulatory requirements across states.
The Russian Export Centre inaugurated the first ‘Made in Russia’ pavilion in India in Navi Mumbai in August 2026 to facilitate engagement between Russian companies and Indian importers, distributors and potential business partners.
“India is an important market for Russian alcobev producers, with growing interest in developing longer-term commercial relationships. Through the ‘Made in Russia’ pavilion, the REC is facilitating connections between Russian companies and Indian businesses as they explore opportunities in this market,” Kohli said.
Soyuzprod illustrates the expansion strategy
Soyuzprod’s India operations provide an example of how a Russian brand is seeking to build distribution beyond its initial market entry.
The company has sold around 25,000 cases since launching in India and is targeting sales of approximately 1.5 lakh cases by FY27/FY28, according to ROSIND. Its distribution network currently spans 13 states, with expansion to 21 states planned over the next six months.
India’s alcoholic beverage market is estimated at around USD 44 billion annually, according to Euromonitor. Imported spirits volumes grew at a 16% CAGR between 2019 and 2024, and India is forecast to become the world’s fifth-largest imported spirits market by 2035, according to IWSR.
For Russian producers, India offers an opportunity to diversify export destinations and explore longer-term market development. However, converting that interest into a sustained presence will require navigating state-level regulations, establishing distribution and developing partnerships suited to India’s diverse markets.
Website- https://soyuzprod.com/
