Currently there are three key segments of the market of drops and pellets: functional drops, regular (non-functional) drops and pellets and chewing candies (basically chewers and marmalade).

In our country the drinks in focus are commonly called "cognac" though it is not quite correct from the point of view of the international classification.

Russian low alcoholic drinks market is relatively young if compared to other segments of alcoholic drinks industry: domestic consumer acquainted to ready-to-serve coctails in the early 90-s.

Russian mineral and drink water market is still one of the most dinamically developing segments of soft drinks industry

Over the recent times juice segment was one of the most dynamically developing at the Russian foodstuffs market: within the period from 1999 to 2004 the general volume of juice sales multiplied fourfold.

After the explosive growth of the Russian market of chocolate confectionery observed in the enf of 1990s - beginning 2000s the last two years were characterized by slowing down of this market development rate.

Over the last year, the Russian vodka market was developing in the framework of the foreseeable trends. First of all, it pertains to the overall reduction of vodka consumption in this country: in 2004, Russians consumed 2.65-2.7 billion liters of this strong alcoholic drink, which is approximately 1.5% less than in 2003.

Mayonnaise could be undoubtedly referred to the so called mass market products - in other words, it has been long time since it firmly established itself in the consumer basket of Russians. A per capita consumption of this dressing is quite high, and the country's market size is one of the world's largest.

According to Q4'04 results, the rate of growth in beer production reached 11.5% compared with the corresponding period of the last year. The same indicator for 2004 as a whole is expected to make up 12.5%, which is slightly higher than the preliminary estimates of the industry experts.

The alcoholic beverages market is growing rather rapidly both in volume and value terms. Notably, such low alcohol drinks as beer and low alcohol cocktails (ready-to-drink cocktails) are the primary boosters of this expansion in the last few years.

It is "Provansal" that still remains the most popular brand of mayonnaise among Russian consumers. It accounts for almost 45% of total sales volume. Olive mayonnaise comes second with a market share of more than 27%.

The Russian chocolate confectionery market has witnessed substantial changes during the course of the last two years.

The structure and main trends in the development of Russian modern retail sector.

It is estimated that Russian tobacco market grew at an annual rate of 2-4 % during the past few years. According to our analysis, in 2003 Russians have smoked approximately 320-330 billion cigarettes & papiroses.

Recent years have established Russian wine market as one of the most rapidly growing sector of the alcoholic beverage industry. Growth rates of both wine production and sales are sustained high and are expected to remain at the same levels during the next few years.

The largest market segments are the most competitive. Thus, 5 biggest players control over 60% of total Pelmeny (dumplings) consumer sales.

Moscow network formats: a development model to emulate by Russian retailers over the next few years.

Movements in per capita alcohol consumption depend first of all on structural changes on the market.