From 1 January 2017 cider included in the list of agricultural products and products of primary processing of agricultural products of own production. The corresponding decree was signed by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev on 30 December 2016. Thus, the cider got the same status that already have wine of fresh grapes, fruit wines and grape must.

The recognition of the cider of agriculture will allow its producers to obtain a number of exemptions.

"This is the compensation of interest rates on loans, the sale of cider at exhibitions and fairs, advertising opportunity, the allocation of land under agricultural rotation for manufacturers, etc." — said a member of the Association of entrepreneurs "Support of Russia" Alexei nebol'sin.

This, he believes, will be another incentive for the involvement of agricultural land in the turnover. The inclusion of cider in the list can also lead to future decrease in the rate of excise duty for the beverage, which was raised from 9 to 21 rubles.per liter.

According to Rosstat, the production of cider and Poire (alcoholic drink made from pears) in physical terms in January-November of 2016 increased by almost 7 times over the same period last year: if for 11 months of 2015 were produced 7 million liters, over 11 months of 2016 – already 49 million L.

At the same time, says Alexei nebol'sin, to expect the production of natural cider at lightning speed increase is not worth it. "It will be a gradual increase, which – while difficult to say: this product is not cheap and he has a lot of competition among alcoholic beverages. We even wine consumption falling four years in a row", — the expert reminded.

Photo: shminhe.com