Marketing

6% growth in spirits market here – IDL

The spirits market here experienced a growth in volume of 6.1% accompanied by a value growth of 4.9% according to Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard in its latest set of results for the year to 30th June, just published. 

This compares with a 2.4% growth in value the previous year.

Against this backdrop, IDL’s premium spirits brands recorded strong net sales during 2017/18 with  Jameson up 9% while its prestige Irish whiskeys witnessed 23% growth, according to IDL’s Chairman and Chief Executive Conor McQuaid.

 “Growth of Irish whiskey sales in Ireland is in part due to increased interest in Irish whiskey tourism,” he commented.

Exports of Jameson whiskey helped make Irish Distillers’ 2017/18 year another strong one according to the results. Jameson sales grew again for the 29th consecutive year from 6.5 million cases to 7.3 million with value growth at 14%, down a percentage point from the previous year while volume growth at 12% compared to the previous year’s 13%.

The brand claims “double or triple-digit growth in more than 80 markets across the world”.

Sales of Irish whiskey now account for more than one third of all Irish beverage exports, commented Conor McQuaid.

Sales of the Powers brand grew 8% in value.

Jameson’s Caskmates range witnessed 86% growth in the US market compared to last year while growth of its “prestige range” led by Redbreast (up 14%) and including Midleton Very Rare, experienced 12.8% volume growth, which “reflects the growing consumer appetite for premium Irish whiskeys and the resurgence of the time-honoured single pot still Irish whiskey,” said Conor, “Our largest markets continue to be the USA, South Africa and Russia, followed by Ireland and the UK,” he continued, “It is very positive to see Jameson starting to generate interest in markets such as Nigeria, India and China.”

Pernod’s full year results show an organic growth in sales flat at of 6.0% to €8.987 billion compared to the previous year’s €9 billion figure, a reported drop of 0.3% which Pernod puts at 6.0% organic growth.

 


Sign Up for Drinks Industry Ireland

Get a free weekly update on Drinks Industry trade news, direct to your inbox. Sign up now, it's free