Irish Whiskey Association welcomes UK-India Free Trade Agreement – “this will benefit our Irish Whiskey producers in Northern Ireland”
The Irish Whiskey Association, the all-island representative trade association for the Irish Whiskey sector, has welcomed the conclusion of a free-trade agreement between the UK and India.
Irish Whiskey is an all-island Geographical Indication (GI), and around 20% of the membership of the Association is based in Northern Ireland. These Irish Whiskey producers in Northern Ireland will be able to avail of a lower tariff (initially 75% but decreasing to 40% over the next ten years) when exporting to India, which is the world’s biggest whiskey market.
Director of the Irish Whiskey Association, Eoin Ó Catháin, sounded a note of optimism on behalf of Northern Irish companies as he welcomed the signing of this free trade agreement:
“The UK-India Free Trade Agreement represents years of hard work by negotiators on both sides, and on behalf of the Irish whiskey producers based in Northern Ireland who are sure to benefit from this deal, I raise a toast to all those involved.
The Department of Business and Trade has been particularly mindful of the unique cross-border situation Irish Whiskey finds itself in and has strived to ensure that the benefits of this deal can be felt by all Irish Whiskey producers in Northern Ireland. Particular provisions have been made for producers who source ingredients and materials in other countries, with Irish Whiskey from Northern Ireland given as a specific example of an export for whom these rules of origin will be beneficial.
IWA met with Secretary of State for International Trade Jonathan Reynolds MP last week, and was assured by his team that these considerations were maintained. IWA are glad to see that this is the case.
Irish Whiskey owes its success in large part to its popularity in markets all over the world – both established and emerging.”
The Irish Whiskey Association also calls on the Irish government to prioritise trade with India in the months ahead:
“The Indian economy is set to become the third-largest economy in the world within three years. India is also the world’s largest whiskey market, and it saw the fastest growth year-on-year for Irish Whiskey export value in 2024 (107%). This provides a strong basis for further growth.
Given the importance of Irish Whiskey and other spirits drinks to our agri-food exports – and the clear strength of our reputation in this emerging market – the Irish government and European Commission must work hard to ensure the same trade conditions are secured for EU and Irish companies as soon as possible.
We are heartened to see the renewed focus of the European Commission in India since the start of this year, and remain confident that it will act with the interests of Irish/EU business and consumer at heart.”
Irish Whiskey is largely an export product – with 95% of Irish Whiskey distilled on the island heading overseas. The biggest market (45% of total export value) remains the USA, followed by Great Britain and the EU27. In recent years, several emerging markets have seen a greater thirst for Irish Whiskey – India among them, where the year-on-year export value increased by 107%.
Irish Whiskey distilled in the Republic of Ireland still faces a tariff of 150% when exporting to India – a key priority for the Irish Whiskey Association will be ensuring that the preferential rate can be enjoyed by all Irish Whiskey producers.
ENDS
Stephen Hopkins
Head of Media, Ibec
M: +353 87 405 9096
E: Stephen.Hopkins@ibec.ie
