The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to increase the lower price limit for a half-liter bottle of vodka by 37.6% and increase it in two phases: by 25.1% in the coming days and by 10% from September 1, 2015.

According to a cabinet resolution which was passed on June 17 the lower retail price limits for other alcohol will be increased. From September 1, 2015, retail prices for wine in glass bottles (0.7 liter) or other packages (1 liter) will be increased by 35%, to UAH 27, sparkling wine in glass bottles (0.75 liter) and some wine (0.7 liter) – by 51.2%, to UAH 49.90.

The price of cognac will increase depending on the number of stars: the lower the age of the cognac, the larger the increase. By September 1, 2015, the minimum retail price of a bottle of cognac (three stars, half-liter) will grow by 42.3%, to UAH 84, and that for five stars – by 36%, to UAH 94.

"The current increase of retail prices of products is the effective mechanism which is able to help legal producers in fighting against counterfeit alcohol products made of low-quality materials and cutting the share of the shadow market," the press service of Global Spirits told Interfax-Ukraine.