The value of exports of Irish gin was up 213% to €4.2 million in first nine months of 2018, with pink gin making the breakthrough at home.
According to the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland’s (ABFI) overview of the drinks industry for 2018, Irish consumers purchased over half a million bottles of pink gin during 2018.
It has been well documented that Irish gin has been undergoing a renaissance period, with over 20 gin producers and over 50 gin brands in Ireland - 12 of which were introduced last year.
Irish cream liquor also enjoyed a strong year, recovering from its ‘lost decade’ in 2017, with an estimated export growth of 8% and an off-trade growth of 7%.
One of the new emerging trends at home, and abroad, is the emergence of light and zero-alcohol beers in 2018. As Ireland’s ‘favourite tipple’, the beer market has seen a plethora of new products hit the market, with low- and no-alcohol beers expected to increase in popularity this year.
Challenges Ahead
However, the ABFI warned that despite positive growth, 2019 poses significant risks with high excise (the second highest in the EU) and the Public Health (Alcohol) Act at home, and Brexit and trade wars overseas.
“[The drinks industry] is one of Ireland’s most dynamic sectors, as it continues to introduce exciting products and break into new export markets,” ABFI director Patricia Callan said.
“Meanwhile alcohol consumption continues to fall. Since 2001 the average per adult alcohol consumption has declined by 23.3% in Ireland.
“This year will be a challenging one for the sector with a number of homegrown and international risks ahead. We remain committed to supporting Ireland’s economy and will take on these various challenges and uncertainties head-on.”
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
