Spirits market in Europe - statistics & facts
Spirits are an important part of the economy in Europe. Ranked only behind wine, spirits were Europe's second largest export in the food and drinks sector. Many of the world's most desirable spirits brands have their origin on the continent. Europeans are also spirits lovers themselves, with the alcoholic beverage ranked third in imports among food and beverages. Eastern Europeans, in particular, are avid consumers of spirits.
Although the industry has faced difficulties in recent years, the spirits market is robust with the beverage playing an important role in Europe and European spirits considered a valued commodity to the world.
Robust trade
Exports of spirits from Europe did experience a disruption at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, as most industries did, but it has since fully recovered. From the 2020 low, the value of exports has risen by over 33 percent, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and reaching over 25 billion U.S. dollars in 2023. Grape-based spirits like brandy and cognac comprise the largest share of spirits exports from the European Union. Within the EU, the export value of spirits is highest in France, home to the most valuable spirits brand in Europe, Hennessy. The overall highest export value though was found in the United Kingdom, at 8.5 billion U.S. dollars in 2023.The leading brands
Within the UK, it's neither a whiskey nor gin brand, the spirits most associated with the country, that hold the largest market share but rather the vodka brand Smirnoff. Smirnoff also ranked highest in brand awareness in the UK in 2023. The brand has one of the highest sales volumes of any spirits brand in the world. In contrast to the UK, Italians are loyal to a home-grown brand, the apéritif Aperol, which holds a 13 percent share of the spirits market in the country.Although the industry has faced difficulties in recent years, the spirits market is robust with the beverage playing an important role in Europe and European spirits considered a valued commodity to the world.
