Drinks exports worth over €0.5bn in H1
As reported earlier, Irish whiskey exports increased by 18.5% in H1 2017 and were valued at €257 million. The Irish spirits category has undergone a spectacular revival in recent years with exports up by 16% since June 2016.
“The latest CSO figures illustrate the strength of Ireland’s drinks exports,” commented ABFI Director Patricia Callan, “The drinks industry has committed itself to achieve the targets set out in Food Wise 2025 to increase the value of agri-food exports by 85% to €19 billion.
“Meeting the Government’s Food Wise 2025 targets would see the drinks industry increasing exports by at least €700 million.”
However she warned, “Given the huge potential the industry has for further export-led growth, it’s concerning that the Government is planning to introduce the most restrictive and punitive barriers to this growth, in the form of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.
“The restrictions in the Bill on advertising and labelling will severely constrain the ability of small producers and new entrants, like craft distilleries and breweries, to get a foothold in the Irish market and will damage their export prospects generally. We want to work with the Government and other stakeholders to find workable measures that will strike the balance between achieving public health objectives and supporting a thriving Irish industry.”
Beer exports account for around one-fifth of all beverage exports from Ireland.