In 2024, Irish whiskey exports hit a record €1bn ($1.17bn): up 13% from the year before.
But the category took a sharp hit in 2025 with exports down 5%, coming in at €930m ($1.87bn).
Exports suffered from a decline in the US market (the US accounts for around 40% of all Irish drink exports).
2025 was a difficult year: the uncertainty of tariffs was followed by their introduction in August 2025. Meanwhile, the 12% devaluation of the US dollar made trading into the US challenging as the year progressed.
What’s now top of the agenda for the Irish whiskey industry is to campaign for an end to tariffs, which are currently set at 15% on all European spirit imports.
“Our priority for the year ahead is a renewed focus on the zero-for-zero trading arrangement, which would facilitate trade with our biggest market, the US,” said Eoin Ó Catháin, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA), the Ibec group representing the sector.
But the US is not the only destination for Irish whiskey: and the industry is also looking to build up other markets as well. Exports to Canada grew around 25%, while Belgium, Italy and Spain all showed good levels of growth.
“The US is the biggest market for Irish Whiskey, but we are not wholly dependent on it,” continued Ó Catháin.
“The EU and the UK are very successful for our sector, and we are strengthening our position in key whiskey markets such as India and Japan.
“We encourage the European Commission to continue its work to secure a free-trade agreement with India, and we are looking forward to working with the Irish government on their market diversification plans for 2026 and beyond.
“The hard work of our government, its agencies and our exporters will be crucial in the year ahead.”
New regions for Irish whiskey
Several emerging regions have shown consistent growth since 2023.
Africa, for example, grew 48% in 2024 and 26% in 2025. Nigeria has recorded 40% growth in that time. South Africa (+30%) continues to emerge as a key global market for the Irish whiskey category.
Growth in Asia is driven by India (up 75%) and Japan (up 23%). Other markets such as China, Singapore and Malaysia are developing strongly.
The UAE and South American markets all performed well, albeit from low bases.
Meanwhile, Irish distillers have done a lot of work on creating other new revenue streams.
“Our exporters have weathered many a storm before, and will continue to do so,” said Ó Catháin.
“Many members of the Irish Whiskey Association have looked to new markets and are quickly gaining a foothold there, and others are developing new revenue streams such as visitor centers or distillery experiences.”
Irish drink exports
- Drinks exports as a whole were stable in 2025 at just over €2bn, with a squeeze on consumer spending hampering any growth.
- Irish whiskey declined 5%, coming in at €930m.
- Gin exports declined 14%, also affected by the US
- Irish cream liqueur exports increased 10%
- Irish beer exports were up 7% to €350m.
