Gin & Premium Irish Whiskey are the fastest growing spirits in Ireland last year
Wednesday, 5 September 2018
Vodka remains Ireland’s most popular spirit
Spirits industry warns of threats from Public Health (Alcohol) Bill
The Irish Spirits Association today launched the second Irish spirits industry and market report. The report was launched by the Chairperson of the Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture, Food and Marine Pat Deering TD. It highlights the changing pattern of consumer appetites with gin and whiskey proving to be the biggest growth markets for the drinks industry. While sales of spirits in Ireland are up 4.6% in 2017, they are still lower than five years ago.
Gin remains the fastest growing spirit category among Irish consumers, up by 47.2% in 2017, with growth shared between both Irish and imported brands. Premium Irish Whiskey grew by 40% in 2017 as more drinkers move up the value-chain making more conscientious choices about what they drink.
Three quarters of Irish spirits are purchased through the off-trade, although most value comes from sales in the on-trade. In purchases, Vodka remains Ireland’s most popular spirits drink, taking up 33.2% of Ireland’s overall spirits consumption. This is then followed by Irish Whiskey (24.4%), Gin (11.2%), Rum (7.7%) and Brandy (4.9%).
While consumption of alcohol continues to fall at home, exports of Irish spirits are growing at an ever-increasing rate. Irish cream liqueur is continuing its resurgence, with 5.6% growth last year. This confirms Irish Cream as one of the EU’s top spirits exports. Interestingly, in 2017 US whiskey overtook Scotch to become Ireland’s second-favourite whiskey category.
Patricia Callan, Director of Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) said: “This report showcases the dynamism within the Irish spirits sector, the sector is offering Irish consumer an extensive choice of high quality products which are loved all around the world.”
This report highlights some interesting trends about what and how Irish consumers are drinking:
“In Ireland last year sales of Irish whiskey were up 5%, but sales of more expensive premium whiskeys were up over 40%. We are seeing Irish people moving from volume-based consumption to more conscientious value-based consumption.”
“This proves that the people of Ireland are already leading the way when it comes responsible consumption. Alcohol consumption has declined by over 23% since 2003, according to the CSO and Revenue Commissioner data. This is happening in the absence of the Public Health Alcohol Bill. While we support the objectives of the bill, some of its measures are excessive, disproportionate; and in some cases, just ludicrous. We are calling for reasonable amendments with respect to advertising restrictions and labelling requirements, which respect Irish consumers and support our domestic spirits industry.”For more information, please contact:
Aidan O’Connor – aidan@q4pr.ie / 087 634 2119
Notes to the Editor
About the Irish Spirits Association
The Irish Spirits Association was established in 1997 to promote the interests of the Irish spirits industry in Ireland and internationally. The ISA provides a strong and effective voice at both national and EU level on issues such as taxation, labelling, trade and the ongoing international protection of Ireland’s Geographic Indicators (GIs).
The objective of the association is to ensure that optimal international trading conditions exist for the Irish spirits industry. Membership is open to all branded spirits manufacturers and suppliers. The association offers information, representation and advice to its members, and provides a forum for members to network and collaborate on issues that impact the industry.
The association facilitates a number of working groups which represent key category sectors, including:
- Irish Cream Working Group
- Irish Poitín Working Group
- Irish Gin Working Group
- Irish Whiskey Technical Operations Working Group
The ISA is part of the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) which is part of Ibec, Ireland’s largest business representative body. For more information, visit www.abfi.ie
The ISA is a member of spiritsEurope which represents the spirits industry at EU level.