The spirits sector as soon as once more demonstrated its energy with gross sales in Eire rising by simply over 6% in 2022 to only below 2.7 million 9 litre instances, whereas the worth of exports additionally soared by 17.3% to nearly €1.5 billion, in keeping with the Irish Spirits Market Report 2022 from the Drinks Eire, the Ibec sector that represents the pursuits of alcohol drinks producers and suppliers on the island of Eire. These will increase continued the beneficial properties seen in 2021 and moved each home gross sales and exports forward to their highest ranges ever.
Irish whiskey’s spectacular progress continued with export gross sales reaching 15.2 million instances in 2022. The USA continued to be the important thing export vacation spot for the class. The UK is the following greatest market globally for Irish whiskey. Two markets which have seen important progress are Poland and South Africa. In 2022, Poland grew by over 24% vs 2021 to turn out to be Irish whiskey’s fourth greatest market, overtaking Germany. South Africa grew by over 31% in quantity to maneuver up one place to sixth.
The Irish Cream success story continues because it drew even nearer to the ten million case benchmark in gross sales throughout 2022. It is a testomony to all of the Irish Cream producers on the island of Eire who proceed to supply the very best high quality manufacturers which might be welcomed everywhere in the world. Imitators proceed to be a problem to police, significantly in markets the place the Irish Cream GI doesn’t have the identical protections it enjoys within the European Union. That is an space of focus for Drinks Eire.
Irish Poitín’s estimated gross sales in 2022 confirmed some decline in comparison with an exceptionally robust 2021. Whereas gross sales are according to 2018 and 2019 and the traits are optimistic, the home Irish and the GTR markets are key alternatives for growth within the short-term. The reopening of World Journey Retail in 2022 was particularly welcome for Poitín. Nonetheless, there may be nonetheless a lot that may be carried out to assist promote and develop this Irish spirits GI class.
The report additionally reveals gin’s meteoric rise within the final ten years has slowed in 2022 (down 1.7% vs 2021). Apparently, that slowdown is pushed by “customary” gin gross sales, with “premium” gin gross sales powering forward by 15% in 2022. This reveals that whereas gin drinkers could also be consuming a lesser amount of gin, they’re choosing extra premium choices.
