Ireland is our anchor and however far we stray, it tells all how far we’ve come...
Export volumes, after the exceptional performance of 2022 where spirits enjoyed unprecedented growth of +17.3%, were largely flat in 2023 at -0.1%, valued at €1.4 billion.
Spanning many products the spirits category is an important component of the wider drinks economy.
- An export powerhouse with products in over 120 markets worth €2.1 billion.
- Domestically, the drinks industry contributes €2.7 billion in VAT and excise payments to the Irish exchequer.
- Both craft producers, and the established players are developing new and exciting products, becoming one of Ireland’s most forward-thinking innovative sectors.
- There are now 50 operational Irish Whiskey distilleries, up from only four in 2010.
- There are over 40 Irish gin producers on the island of Ireland and an estimated 70 plus Irish gin brands in Ireland.
- There are 8 facilities in Ireland producing Irish Cream and 15 Poitín producers.
- There are over 100 brewery and cider producers across the island of Ireland.
- The industry purchases 300,000 tonnes of grain annually, uses about 50,000 tonnes of apples in cider production, and uses cream produced from 300 million litres of milk, supporting farming families across our island.
The Experience Economy
The drinks industry is at the heart of the Experience Economy which spends almost €4 billion every year, on purchases of goods and services, including over €1 billion in purchases from domestic food and drink suppliers. The sector has also played a major role in developing the all-island economy and has been an important source of employment North and South of the border.
