While the AMCU remains silent, the Kaufman-Stakovychenko tandem takes over 70% of the tobacco distribution market

While the AMCU remains silent, the Kaufman-Stakovychenko tandem takes over 70% of the tobacco distribution market

While the public "movement" around taxes on parcels is just beginning, the "movement" in the less public topic of tobacco distribution is coming to an end.

The market is complaining about another phase of aggressive behavior from Borys Kaufman, who, along with his "cash-out" partner Ihor Stakovychenko, is fully monopolizing the cigarette distribution market.

I have already written about this tandem’s acquisition of the intermediary "Volyntabak" for $8 million, through which they conduct the cash portion of their sales.

Link 1

Link 2

Now, Borys and "Stakan" have targeted smaller market players.
Using various forms of pressure and leveraging law enforcement influence on regional players, following a classic scheme from the 90s (pressure from law enforcement → searches → meetings with people offering to solve the problem), they force competitors to work for them or buy businesses at bargain prices.

As a result, wholesale tobacco distributors in the regions are either under Kaufman’s group’s control or become clients of his companies.

Currently, the following networks are under attack:

• Tobacco House "Virginia"
• "Halychyna Tabak"
• "Merano"
• "Attica"

As of now, about 70% of all wholesale tobacco is already under their control.
Meanwhile, neither the AMCU nor the manufacturers "notice" this and do not react.

The situation mirrors the "fat" years for Kaufman during Poroshenko’s rule, when through Yuriy Lutsenko, he had "access" to Bankova, resolving issues not only of market monopolization but also regulating the tax committee on excise matters.

However, unlike those times, Borys already has two NABU criminal cases, which in no way prevent him from remaining influential in high offices.