Elevated sales of American whiskey was the driving force behind the strengthening of the American spirits market, which during 2015 grew to a value of just under $72 billion – a 4.1 per cent increase in value, and a 2.13 per cent increase by volume, TheDrinksBusiness.com reports.
The Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) says that best-performing markets for the exportation of US-made spirits were the United Kingdom ($226.1 million), then Canada ($194.7 million), followed by Germany ($128.5 million), Australia ($126.1 million), Japan ($108.3 million), and France ($84.1 million).
DISCUS earmarked the UK and Japan as highly likely to grow again on a like for like basis over 2016. It also suggested that China, Brazil, Vietnam and South Africa will record sales improvements this year.
Kraig R. Naasz, president and CEO of Discus, said, “Against the backdrop of an otherwise sluggish farm economy, it’s positive to note that American whiskey sales are benefiting America’s farmers and the agricultural sector.”
Exports of Bourbon, Tennessee and Rye grew by four per cent. Overall, American whiskey as a sub-category grew by 7.8 per cent in value.
Sales of Irish whiskey grew in the US by 19.9 per cent, and Scotch whisky by 13.5 per cent.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Peter Donnelly. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
