Armenian brandy sold in the Russian market often does not comply with Russian legislation or state standards, reaching a share of 85 %, according to data presented by the Soyuzkonyak association for cognac, spirits and alcohol production and the international organization Antikontrafakt.
Their analysis shows several Armenian producers have added flavoring agents to the brandy shipped to Russia, and in about half of those cases, non‑grape-based alcohol was used. Experts argue that such products cannot be classified as true cognac, Sputnik Armenia reports.
In August 2024, the share of non‑compliant Armenian brandy in Russia reached 90 %. Stricter regulations reduced it to 80 % by May 2025, but violations have since risen again. According to Soyuzkonyak, producers adapted quickly to the control mechanisms.
Antikontrafakt’s head, Vladislav Reznik, said the organization met with Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Economy. He noted Armenian authorities are aware of the issue and have proposed solutions to Russian counterparts, but results remain unseen.
“Instead, both the volume of poor-quality brandy shipped from Armenia to Russia and its share in overall exports are growing,” Reznik said.
The results of the analysis were submitted to Russia’s Federal Service for Alcohol Market Regulation, Federal Customs Service, the Prosecutor General’s Office, and the relevant ministries in Armenia and Georgia.
From September, Armenia plans to launch an isotopic laboratory capable of determining whether brandy contains only grape-based ethanol or also components from other sources. Official data show Armenia’s brandy production fell nearly 40 % in the first quarter of 2025, totaling 3,249,000 litres.
