Irish drinks exports are worth €1.4 billion, according to the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), with the drinks sector exporting 45% of its total turnover.
The data comes from the 2012 Census of Industrial Production (CIP), published recently by the CSO. It shows that total investment by the sector was €118.4 million in 2012.
Tom Burke, Senior Executive at the Alcohol Beverage Federation of Ireland (ABFI) commented, “This is an exciting sector that’s going through considerable development, with dozens of drinks manufacturers setting up shop across the country, including 21 whiskey distilleries in various stages of planning at the moment”.
However, he added, “the ability of the sector to reach its full potential and achieve sustainable growth is being put at risk by the Government, who have increased excise on alcohol in the last two Budgets. Irish drinks manufacturers, such as small whiskey producers, will be unable to sell their high-quality products in their home market, which will have a knock-on effect on Irish farmers and publicans hoping to get a boost from the exciting developments in the sector”.
The drinks sector in Ireland currently employs nearly 3,500 people directly and has a wage and salary output of €209.6 million. The sector exports 45% of its total turnover, with exports worth €1.4 billion while the manufacturing drinks sector had a total turnover value of €3.1 billion, with a domestic market turnover of €1.7 billion.
Tony Foley, Economist at DCU and author of the report added: “The data released recently by the CSO illustrates just how important the drinks manufacturing sector is to the Irish economy.” Burke concluded, “The drinks industry employs 92,000 people, from grain to glass. We would urge the government; reverse excise, create jobs.”
© 2014 - Checkout Magazine by Genna Patterson
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