Changes in Ukrainian Legislation Regarding Alcoholic Beverages
From January 1, 2026, beverages with the names 'cognac', 'champagne', 'port' and 'sherry' of domestic production will disappear from sale in Ukraine. This decision is part of the implementation of the Association Agreement with the European Union. As a result, Ukrainian stores will be required to switch to new names for these drinks, specifically, they will be sold under the names 'brandy', 'sparkling wine' and 'fortified wine'.
Financial Consequences of the New Rules
According to the new rules, the use of old names will be penalized with fines that can range from 5 to 15 minimum wage amounts, which is from 43,235 to 129,705 hryvnias. This means that violators may face serious financial consequences for failing to comply with the new requirements.
Representatives of the winemaking industry note that adapting to these changes is a complicated process. In particular, Akkerman Winery indicated that adapting to the changes was
“not timely”due to the necessity of business survival. Anatoliy Korchynskyi pointed out that the transition to the term 'brandy' is long and complicated. At the same time, Dmytro Sheludiako expressed readiness for the transition and plans to increase sales in 2025-2027.
Changes in the names of alcoholic beverages in Ukraine are part of a broader integration of the country into European standards. This may affect consumer habits, as new names may not reflect the usual associations with the products. At the same time, producers' adaptation to new market conditions will be an important factor for ensuring their competitiveness in both domestic and international markets, which in turn may impact the overall state of the winemaking industry in Ukraine.