Drinks Ireland|Spirits has published its Irish Spirits Markets Report 2019, which states that global Irish whiskey sales increased by 10.9% from 10.58 million to 11.93 million nine-litre cases in 2019 while Irish cream liqueur sales increased by 3.9% from 8.2 million to 8.52 million nine-litre cases.
According to the report, domestic Irish whiskey sales increased by 1.5% sales last year while domestic gin sales increased by 4.6% and domestic vodka sales increased by 0.6%.
The report also states the value of spirits exports from the island of Ireland increased by close to 16% to €1.17 billion in 2019, and the USA and the UK were the two biggest export markets for Ireland's Geographic Indication (GI) protected spirits, which are Irish whiskey, Irish cream liqueur and poitín.
The third largest market for Irish GI protected spirits last year was the global travel retail sector, according to the report.
"A Dynamic Spirits Industry"
Chair of Drinks Ireland|Spirits and managing director and founder of The Shed Distillery in Co. Leitrim Pat Rigney stated, "In 2019, we see that Ireland had a dynamic spirits industry, with domestic sales and exports continuing to grow. This growth allowed the sector to support the domestic economy and jobs across Ireland, including in more rural locations where many of our distilleries are located. While the sector remains vibrant and innovative, it has been severely impacted by COVID-19. For example, the hospitality sector is vital for consumers to explore products from new and emerging Irish spirits producers. This is on top of other challenges associated with Brexit and the EU and US trade disputes. As an industry, 2019 will be a benchmark to which we will aim to return to in the coming years."
Call For Reduction In Excise Tax On Drinks
Meanwhile, head of Drinks Ireland|Spirits Vincent McGovern commented, "The Irish government can support the indigenous spirits sector in a number of ways as it seeks to recover from COVID-19. Ireland's excise taxes are the second highest in Europe and will act as a barrier to recovery. As part of a broad package of measures, the government should look to deliver a 15% reduction in excise tax on drinks products, which would help the industry and minimise the risk of job losses."
© 2020 Hospitality Ireland – your source for the latest industry news. Article by Dave Simpson. Click subscribe to sign up for the Hospitality Ireland print edition.
