Spirits – EU’s most valuable agri-food export

The EU’s spirits industry remains its most valuable agri-food export, valued at €10.3 billion in 2015, up 7% on 2014 despite a weaker global outlook than in previous years, states a recent document from SpiritsEurope entitled Made For Trade – spirits success abroad.

According to Eurostat, the EU’s Spirits category was responsible for 33% of EU food exports in 2015 with Wine accounting for 31% and Cheese, Beer and Pastries & Biscuts 11% each.

Within the spirits exports category whiskies accounted for 47%, Cognac 28%, liqueurs & vodka 10% each and gin at 4%.

The US remains the top market for EU spirits exporters, worth €3.83 billion, up 16% between 2014 an 2015.

Interestingly, the relatively tiny Singapore city state came second being responsible for €856 million in overall export sales, up 8%.

China was responsible for €411 milion in overall export sales, up 21% in 2015.