Irish whiskey export value falls 5% in 2025 as US market pressures weigh on sales – Bord Bia 

SCOTLAND – The value of Irish whiskey exports fell by 5% in 2025 as challenging trading conditions, particularly in the United States, weighed on performance, according to new data from trade body Bord Bia. 

Irish whiskey exports were valued at €930 million (US$1.1 billion) during the year and accounted for 45% of total drinks exports from Ireland, Bord Bia said. The decline came amid broader headwinds across the global whiskey market. 

“The global whiskey market faced a challenging year, especially in the US, where Irish whiskey exports declined by 5%,” Bord Bia said in its report. It added that “stocks were built up in late 2024 and the first half of 2025 in anticipation of tariffs, which were implemented in August 2025.” 

Bord Bia noted that the impact of tariffs, combined with a 12% devaluation of the US dollar, made trading conditions more difficult. “This situation, combined with a 12% devaluation of the US dollar, made trading into the US challenging as the year progressed,” the trade body said. 

Alcohol sales in the US were under pressure throughout the year, which weighed on demand for higher-priced products. Bord Bia said the slowdown negatively affected the premiumisation trend that has supported whiskey and gin growth in recent years. 

“Emerging consumer trends such as GLP-1 usage are also impacting the market,” it added. 

Within the European Union, Germany remained the largest export market for Irish whiskey. Exports to France were described as “stable,” while shipments to Poland recorded a slight decline.  

Sales to the UK were also “slightly lower,” which Bord Bia attributed to “a build-up of stocks at the start of the year, highly competitive conditions and squeezed consumer spending.” 

Exports of Irish gin declined by 14% in value, as “markets continued to rationalise the range of brands offered for sale.” Bord Bia said both gin and whiskey were negatively affected by US trading uncertainty and “the slowing of premiumisation for whiskey and gin in the market due to increased pressure on consumer spending.” 

Liqueurs represented the second-largest export category by value after whiskey, accounting for 21% of drinks exports. Irish cream liqueur exports rose 10% to €430 million, as the category “continues to benefit from premiumisation” in markets including the UK and North America. 

Irish beer exports increased 7% in value to approximately €350 million. While exports to the UK declined 14% year on year, shipments to EU markets rose 21%, with France the largest EU destination by value. 

Overall, total Irish drinks exports grew 2% in 2025 to €2 billion, with the EU, UK and US accounting for 81% of shipments.  

Bord Bia said it expects 2026 to be “a year of transition” for the drinks sector, supported by improving US sellout rates and expanding opportunities in markets such as India, Japan, China and South Africa. 

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