The boycott of Russian-made bev/al products continued to spread. Both private entities and government agencies acted to remove Russian products from store shelves and to show support for the embattled people of Ukraine, whose country has been invaded by Russia.
Total Wine & Spirits, the nation’s largest independent bev/al off-premise retailer, suspended the sale of Russian-made products, removing them from its shelves. In a statement, Edward Cooper, VP-public affairs and community relations, said:
“Total Wine & More has ceased the purchase and sale of Russian-made products including vodka. We have removed all Russian-made products from our shelves until further notice. We are ceasing the purchase and sale of Russian-made products in order to protest Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and to stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.”
Oregon Liquor & Cannabis Commission (OLCC) directed the operators of Oregon’s independently owned liquor stores to stop selling all Russian manufactured distilled spirits. The OLCC has sequestered the remaining supply of Russian spirits in its Portland warehouse.
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board also removed Russian Standard Vodka from its retail shelves and said it wouldn’t accept special orders for some other Russian-made brands.
Chuck Moran, executive director, Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage & Tavern Association, encoouraged bars and restaurants to avoid using Russian-made vodka.
“It will be a minor inconvenience for some, but national American brands like Tito’s from Texas and locally made vodkas like Holla Spirits in York are good options when mixing drinks that require vodka,” Moran said.
Across Oregon, about 5,000 bottles of Russian-made liquor are currently for sale in 281 liquor stores. More than 6,200 bottles remain in the OLCC warehouse distribution center. Effective immediately, liquor stores have started removing all bottles of Russian-made liquor from their store shelves, and the OLCC has stopped fulfilling orders for those products from its warehouse.
The OLCC is taking this action as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Removing these products aligns with other states that have acted to ban the sale of Russian made products as a part of economic sanctions against Russian operated businesses. Economic sanctions against the Russian government are designed to bring this conflict to an end.
Consumers can still find all other brands of vodka including those branded with Russian names, such as Stoli or Smirnoff, but not purchased from distilleries located in Russia, for sale in Oregon liquor stores.
“The OLCC understands that there are times when we must respond to a higher calling in the interest of humanity, and this is a but a small step the OLCC and the State of Oregon can take,” said Paul Rosenbaum, Chair of the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.