In Ukraine, ahead of significant changes in the alcohol production sector, new requirements are being introduced. Starting from the beginning of 2026, products labeled as "cognac" will disappear from the shelves of Ukrainian stores. According to international obligations to the European Union, Ukrainian producers are required to change the name of their drink to "brandy".
As reported by Forbes.ua, this decision resulted from the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, which stipulates the abandonment of the geographical indication "cognac" (Cognac), which is protected by French tradition.
Reasons for Rebranding
The right to use the name "cognac" is only held by producers from the eponymous region in France. Ukrainian producers have been granted a transitional period of 10 years to adapt to the new conditions. Many of them approach this process ambiguously.
"There was no time to tackle this issue. We were trying to survive the business after losses and looking for ways to adapt," noted Ilona Nadvodska, director of "Akerman Distillery", which produces cognac under the brand "Aznauri".
Market Reaction and Prospects
Producers like "Shabo" and "Mykolaiv Cognac Factory" (brand "Koblevo") are reacting differently to the change. For example, "Chateau Chizai" is already ready to transition, forecasting that it will be able to sell up to 150,000 bottles of cognac and brandy in 2025 with further growth in sales.
The Bayadera Group, which owns the brands "Koblevo", "Metaxa", and "Saint Remy", acknowledges that the process of changing the name is "long and complicated," but irreversible. "We are at the finish line with the production of the last cognac in Ukraine under the Koblevo brand — this will be a limited batch of 20,000 bottles of ten-year-old drink," said CEO Anatoliy Korchinsky.
From January 1, 2026, all alcoholic products produced in Ukraine will receive the new name — "brandy". Whether Ukrainians are ready for this change will be shown in the coming years.
