Irish drinks sales to take hit, says Shed Distillery founder

Pat Rigney, founder of Shed Distillery, said: “I don't think it matters whether you're a big producer or a small producer, everybody is going to be affected”

Irish drink sales are expected to fall in the US  as industries react to the latest European Union (EU) plan of action regarding tariffs.

On Thursday, 8 April, the EU unveiled a list of US products it planned to impose import tariffs on including almonds, soya beans and yachts.

Pat Rigney, the founder of the Shed Distillery , which makes a range of spirits including Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin, labelled it “progress” that bourbon was omitted from the EU list but stated that it should not have been there from the off.

He told RTÉ news that he fears that the demand for his products in the US will decrease due to the tariff impact. He hoped the company would be able to absorb some of the impact – but it would not be able to fully cover it.

“Because we export so much to the US – in our case 35%, but in the industry closer to 50% – diversifying will only take you so far into other markets.” says Rigney.

While US tariffs are supposed to be of benefit to producers there, Rigney says that American drinks companies are predicting a dip of  15% to 20% in their own sales, due to a recessionary environment.