ISA hosts Cognac producers
The move formed part of its drive to forge stronger relationships across Europe post-Brexit.
BNIC acts as the representative body for Cognac producers across France and the delegation included Lionel Lalagüe, BNIC’s Director of Public and International Affairs and Noélie Genevy, Public Affairs Manager at Moët Hennessy.
Over recent years the ISA has maintained a strong working relationship with the Scotch Whisky Association, with both organisations attending an annual bilateral meeting to discuss industry issues. Post-Brexit, Cognac, Irish whiskey and Irish Cream will be the EU’s three largest spirit export categories due to the significant removal of the large Scotch category from the EU after Brexit.
As a result, the ISA has sought to forge closer working relationships with other EU category associations to ensure common interests remain high on the agenda of the EU Commission.
European spirits exports were at an all-time high in 2017, valued at €10.7 billion, up 5% on 2016. The sector has seen enormous growth in the last decade with an increase of €4 billion compared to 2007.
The most profitable spirits categories of 2017 for exports were whiskey (€4.5 billion), Cognac (€3.2 billion) and liqueurs (€1 billion). The value of Irish spirits exports increased by 13.8% to €916 million in 2017.
