US spirits exports fall 3.8% to US$2.37B in 2025 as trade disputes hit Canada, EU markets
US spirits exports decline in 2025 as trade disputes disrupt Canada and EU markets, while growth in emerging destinations partially offsets losses.
USA – US spirits exports declined in 2025 as ongoing trade disputes disrupted shipments to key international markets, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).
Export value fell 3.8% year-on-year to US$2.37 billion, with the industry body attributing the drop largely to reduced demand in Canada and the European Union.
In a statement, DISCUS said the “decline was driven primarily by downturns in two key established markets”, highlighting the significant role both regions play in US spirits trade.
Exports to Canada were particularly affected after several provinces removed American-made spirits from retail shelves in March 2025. Between March and December, shipments to Canada plunged 70% year-on-year, falling from US$203 million in 2024 to US$60 million during the same period in 2025.
Although Alberta and Saskatchewan have since resumed sales, most provinces continue to maintain restrictions, weighing heavily on overall export performance. Excluding Canada, US spirits exports recorded a 2.5% increase in 2025, underscoring the country’s outsized impact on the total figures.
The European Union remained the largest export destination, accounting for US$1.2 billion, or approximately 51% of total shipments, despite a 2.8% decline in export value. American whiskey exports to the EU dropped sharply, falling 35% to US$454 million.
DISCUS noted that the decline likely reflects “front-loading” in late 2024, when producers accelerated shipments ahead of potential retaliatory tariffs linked to broader trade tensions.
DISCUS President and CEO Chris Swonger said the downturn highlights ongoing risks for the industry. “The overall decline in US spirits exports underscores the industry’s vulnerability to uncertainty in the global trade environment and the vital importance of restoring the permanent return to zero-for-zero tariffs on spirits products,” he said.
Trade uncertainty in Europe remains unresolved. A proposed 30% EU tariff on American spirits, tied to disputes over autos and US steel and aluminium tariffs, has been suspended twice, most recently until 6 August 2025. A separate plan to impose a 50% tariff on American whiskeys in April 2025 was ultimately not implemented.
Despite challenges in major markets, exports to other regions provided some support. Shipments to the rest of the world increased 13.2%, driven by growth in markets such as Brazil and the United Kingdom.
The top five export destinations were the EU (US$1.2 billion), the UK (US$153 million), Australia (US$138 million), Mexico (US$127 million), and Canada (US$89 million), collectively accounting for 72% of total exports.
By category, American whiskey remained the leading export at US$1.08 billion, despite a 19% decline. Its share of total exports fell to a record low of 45%.
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