Exports of Irish whiskey rose by 13% in worth final yr with progress throughout all markets besides the UK, based on a Bord Bia report.
Irish commerce growth company Bord Bia launched its Export Efficiency and Prospects Report 2024-2025, which revealed that Irish whiskey exports in 2024 noticed their worth attain roughly €1 billion (US$1.03bn).
Following a troublesome yr in 2023, the worth of Irish drink exports elevated by 19% to only over €2.1bn final yr, with good progress within the ready-to-drink (RTD) and whiskey classes.
Vodka-based RTD drinks achieved a threefold improve year-on-year to €235m (US$242m), up from €55m in 2022. Bord Bia famous that roughly 90% of RTDs have been exported to the US with the remaining 10% divided between the UK and EU.
The double-digit acquire for Irish whiskey marked a return to progress for the class after a 14% drop within the earlier yr. The worth of Irish whiskey exports surpassed €1bn (US$1.07bn) for the primary time in 2022.
All markets delivered progress other than the UK, the place Irish whiskey exports plunged by 10% final yr after ‘robust progress’ in 2023.
Exports of Irish whiskey to the US (which accounts for about 40% of the class’s exports) rose by 11%, whereas shipments to Canada grew by round 29%.
Bord Bia mentioned a number of components impacted the whiskey business in 2024 together with sluggish depletion charges, worth pressures, and model consolidation from each retail and on-trade prospects.
EU exports of Irish whiskey have been up by 12% within the yr to August 2024. The highest markets have been Germany (up by 11%), France (down by 14%), Poland (up by 17%) and Belgium (up by 67%). Bord Bia additionally highlighted ‘robust performances’ in Italy and the Czech Republic, and ‘good progress’ in Slovenia and Romania.
Whole Irish whiskey exports to Africa rose by 16% to round €65m. South Africa grew by 21%, whereas exports to Nigeria have been down barely because of ‘persevering with difficulties with the naira foreign money and difficult financial circumstances’.
Inside Asia, exports to India greater than doubled whereas Japan rose by 35% to €5m, making it the continent’s second-biggest Irish whiskey market. Exports to mainland China returned to progress, rocketing by 60%.
The Philippines and South Korea have been additionally named key rising markets for the class.
Exports of Irish whiskey to Australia soared by round 66% to greater than €25m, establishing it because the second most-important market within the Asia-Pacific area, Bord Bia famous.
Cream liqueurs and gin on the up
Wanting throughout the Irish drinks phase, whiskey represented 49% of exports by way of worth share in 2024, whereas liqueurs made up 18%. Gin and wine every had a 1% share, beer represented a 15% share and cider took a 4% share.
Cream liqueur exports have been up by 5% to €380m, however down by 6% on 2022 ranges.
Exports to the US and Canada accounted for greater than 60% of whole cream liqueur exports and grew by 13% and eight% respectively.
Within the EU, the class’s efficiency was blended with gross sales down in Germany (down by 4%) and Romania (down by 14%). Gross sales to the UK grew strongly to succeed in €25m and soared by 41% in Spain.
Different markets such because the Netherlands and Sweden confirmed robust progress from decrease bases. Central and South America have emerged as future markets, Bord Bia highlighted, led by Chile and Panama. In Asia, exports of cream liqueur to China soared by 30% to succeed in round €4.5m.
Irish gin exports recovered after a difficult 2023, with exports rising by 23% to €20m. Nevertheless, it stays 9% under 2022 ranges.
Exports of gin to the US grew by round 18%, whereas Turkey has emerged as a market with robust potential, with exports of greater than €2m.
Beer exports rose by 2% to €325m in 2024, exceeding 2022 ranges by 9%, whereas cider was up by 1% to €80m.
India to drive whiskey progress
In its outlook for the nation’s drinks sector, Bord Bia famous that world rising markets similar to India, Nigeria and Singapore are anticipated to develop as extra Irish exporters enter the market and client consciousness of Irish drinks will increase in these areas.
“We count on India to proceed to develop strongly and assist the whiskey market to diversify away from the US,” the report famous, whereas RTD progress will likely be depending on US commerce coverage.
Bord Bia additionally expects Australia to proceed to carry out strongly in 2025, alongside ‘modest’ progress within the world journey retail channel.
The worth of Irish spirits exports fell by 9.3% in 2023, a report by Drinks Eire revealed.
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