Russian organic vodka producer Saranskiy targets new travel retail territories in 2019

Russian organic vodka producer Saranskiy Distillery has told The Moodie Davitt Report that it has achieved “inspiring” sales this year after breaking into the travel retail channel. It also revealed its ambitious plans for expansion in the duty free market.

The first certified organic vodka producer in Russia, Saranskiy makes single grain vodkas from field to bottle. It currently supplies its two main products – Chisti Rosi and Spelta – to Dufry and Gebr Heinemann stores across Russia.

Saranskiy spokesman Kirill Pechenkin revealed plans for expanding the company’s presence in the travel retail market beyond Russia’s borders. He said that the targets for the next two years are airports in London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv, Dubai, Istanbul, Hong Kong, and Singapore.

Pechenkin said that high interest in Saranskiy’s range in the US and Mexico also makes those countries targets for travel retail expansion.

He explained: “Even though we have not shipped any bottles to the US market yet, we receive constant requests from local businesses about where to buy our vodka. So, we will be looking for opportunities to present our brands to frequent travellers in the Americas as well.”

Saranskiy’s flagship product, Chisti Rosi, is distilled in small batches from selected organic grain, grown in natural conditions on a Russian eco-farm.

Each bottle of Chisti Rosi is personalised with a unique number and year of harvest. It comes in two variants – Chisti Rosi Wheat and Chisti Rosi Rye.

Saranskiy Distillery’s products are currently available in Dufry and Gebr Heinemann stores in Russia. Pictured here is advertising for the brand outside a Dufry store in Russia.

In December 2017 Chisti Rosi – which means ‘pure morning dew’ in Russian – received the NOP (National Organic Program) certificate confirming compliance with US standards.

The second Saranskiy brand introduced into travel retail is Spelta, a small batch organic dry vodka. The company said it is the first Russian vodka distilled from 100% organic spelt, with each bottle hand-dipped in red wax to guarantee its provenance.

The first batch of Chisti Rosi was distilled in 2014. Exports to overseas domestic markets began last year to Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Holland, France and Belgium. Saranskiy plans to begin exporting to domestic markets in the US, Canada, UK, Italy, Germany, Australia, and the UAE in 2019.

Spelta is the first Russian vodka distilled from 100% organic spelt.
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