Russia accuses Armenia of bootlegging brandy

By Alexander Pracht

A sweeping inspection has found that 85% of Armenian brandy sold in Russia does not meet national quality standards, Russia’s Forbes reported Tuesday, citing research by the Russian Union of Brandy Producers (RUBP) and the anti-counterfeit association “Antikontrafakt.”

The watchdog groups said the findings were based on a recent study of brandy products in Russian stores, where Armenian imports dominate the shelves. “There are very few Georgian brandies, even fewer Russian ones, and the overwhelming majority are from Armenia,” said Andrey Tretyakov of RUBP. “That’s why most of our violations are linked to Armenian producers.”

Tretyakov noted that while Georgian brandies also had non-compliance issues, they made up a smaller portion of the market and the violations were less frequent.

According to the organizations, 71 samples from eight major Armenian producers were tested. The study found that 85% of the samples failed to meet the requirements of Russia’s certification system. In half the cases, investigators found the use of non-grape-based alcohol, which is a key violation that disqualifies the product from being labeled brandy at all.

While the non-compliance rate had reportedly dropped to 80% in May due to increased customs checks, the latest findings show a reversal. “The violations point to deliberate actions aimed at cutting production costs by falsifying raw materials,” the researchers claimed.

The problematic Armenian products reportedly entered Russia mainly through Georgia, according to Antikontrafakt.

Armenia’s Economy Minister Gevorg Papoyan rejected the Russian allegations, saying on Tuesday that the Armenian side does not accept the findings. “We do not agree with this assessment. Our brandy is currently undergoing checks, and I have good news for our producers — for the first time in 35 years, we have established an isotope laboratory in Armenia, and certification is now underway,” Papoyan said.

His comments come after a tense standoff in June when numerous Armenian brandy shipments to Russia were held up by Georgian authorities and denied transit, causing significant financial losses to Armenian exporters. The situation was eventually resolved following high-level intervention by Armenian officials, including Papoyan, but not without delays and damage to the sector.

The news follows last month’s Russian ban on flower imports from Armenia, which effectively paralyzed the country’s floricultural sector. Armenia sold $32 million worth of floral products, including cut flowers, decorative greenery, and flower buds, to Russia last year, making it the country’s top buyer.

Critics in Yerevan have accused Moscow of using sanitary regulations as a political tool amid deteriorating relations. In recent years, Russia has suspended Armenian exports of fruits, vegetables, and alcohol under similar pretexts, a tactic it has previously employed with other post-Soviet nations to apply pressure during diplomatic disputes.