The Swedish company, in response to public criticism, decided to no longer supply alcohol to the aggressor country, Russia.
The Swedish manufacturer of vodka company Absolut will stop the supply of alcohol to Russia. The decision was made after criticism of the company against the background of the resumption by the French concern Pernod Ricard of the sale of Swedish alcohol in Russia. This is stated in a statement by the company’s CEO Stefanie Dürru, published on the Absolut website on Tuesday, April 18.
“Reactions in recent days clearly reflect the role that Absolut plays in Swedish society. We understand the value of these long-standing and trusting relationships that we have with our Swedish employees, partners, consumers and the Swedish society as a whole. Recognizing also the duty of care for our employees and partners, we cannot subject them to massive criticism in all forms. Therefore, Absolut has decided to stop exporting its brand to Russia,” said the CEO.
Stopping exports, she said, “unfortunately will not prevent Absolut from falling into the hands of a parallel market that has grown strongly in recent months and over which we have no control.”
Recall, on April 4, we reported that Pernod Ricard, which owns the Jameson whiskey brand, resumed deliveries of products to the Russian market. The company commented on the availability of Jameson whiskey in Russia. In particular, they said that the company from the “beginning of the war” put as a priority “the protection of local workers both in Ukraine and in Russia.”
We add that in the summer of 2022 it became known that the import of strong alcohol into the Russian Federation decreased by almost 35% due to sanctions.