The value of Irish whiskey exports to the all-island economy exceeded €1 billion in 2022, according to the Irish Whiskey Association.
Commenting, William Lavelle, director of the Irish Whiskey Association, said, “Breaking €1 billion in export value represents another important milestone in the Irish whiskey renaissance and confirms the importance of our unique, all-island industry to our shared economy, north and south.
“Across the island of Ireland, the growth in Irish whiskey exports has created more quality jobs, brought more investment into regional and rural communities, and led to more purchasing from Irish farmers.”
Key Drivers
The key drivers of Irish whiskey export growth identified in the Irish Whiskey Association’s Irish Whiskey Global international trade report, published in October 2022, include the growing global demand for premium, higher-priced Irish whiskey – in line with consumers drinking less, but drinking better.
The group also saw an increased interest in Irish whiskey from the millennial and Generation Z consumer segments.
Looking Ahead
Looking into 2023, Lavelle said, “The Irish Whiskey Association is reiterating its call for the proactive expansion of free-trade agreements with positive trading partners, to support the continuing growth of Irish whiskey exports.”
According to Lavelle, the priorities identified by the Irish Whiskey Association for 2023 include the protection of free trade with the United States and the avoidance of future trade disputes in the context of concerns regarding the US Inflation Reduction Act and unresolved disputes on steel and aluminium.
Another priority is the completion of EU trade negotiations with Australia and Kenya, and EU and UK trade negotiations with India, with a view to delivering tariff reductions in these markets.
© 2023 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Donna Ahern. For more drinks news, click here. Click sign up to subscribe to Checkout.
