Alcohol and Tobacco Prices in Kazakhstan See Sharpest Monthly Rise in 15 Years — Analysts
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Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products in Kazakhstan rose 4.1% in February 2026 compared with January, marking the steepest monthly increase in this category since 2011, according to DataHub analysts, Orda.kz reports.
Wine posted the biggest increase, up 6.2%, while grape wine rose 7.3%. Beer prices also climbed sharply, increasing by 3.6% in a single month.
In the strong alcohol category, prices rose by 2.6%. Cognac jumped by 13.7%, while vodka increased by just 1.2%. Tobacco products became 4.3% more expensive over the month, including a 4.7% rise in cigarette prices — the highest monthly increase since July 2019.
Analysts say one reason may be higher excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products introduced at the start of 2026. Cigarettes also entered 2026 with a higher minimum retail price of 970 tenge per pack, up from 920 tenge in the second half of 2025. Kazakhstan’s overall monthly inflation in February was 1.1%.
Analysts also pointed to discussion around broader digital labeling of alcoholic products. For now, the officially confirmed rollout is for beer and beer drinks: phased mandatory digital labeling began on February 1, 2026, with bottled beer and kegs first, while cans are due to follow from January 1, 2027. Higher production and import costs may also be contributing to the price increase.
Original author: Alina Elgeldina
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