UK gin exports up 166% since 2000

British gin exports have soared 166% by value since 2000 as sales abroad continue to flourish, according to figures released by the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA).

Global gin exports have risen 44% by volume and 46% by value since 2010

The UK exports £4.9bn worth of spirits globally – with British gin accounting for 11% of spirit exports, according to the WSTA’s Spirits Report.

Bolstered by “consistent growth” in domestic sales, global gin exports have risen 44% by volume and 46% by value since 2010.

The value of British gin exports to the US have risen by 553% in the last decade – accounting for a quarter of all UK spirits exported to the country.

Around a third of all UK spirit exports to Spain are gin – 33% by volume and 35% by value – and the spirit also makes up 31% of exports to Canada and nearly a fifth of spirits exports to Germany by volume.

Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA, said: “The exporting of British gin is increasingly important to UK exports. Where others are experiencing a dip in trade, gin continues to increase in sales year on year.

“More and more markets are opening up as the global phenomenon that is British gin spreads.

“Post Brexit we need to ensure that the flow of gin and other British spirits is not disrupted. Britain is by far the biggest exporter of spirits in the world and it is therefore essential for our economy that we secure free trade deals – including more and better ones beyond the EU.

“The UK Government can also help British gin and our other spirit drinks remain competitive by lowering excise duty, which is currently the 4^th highest in the EU.”

The value of gin in the domestic market in both the on- and off-trade too has seen growth – up 21% and 12% respectively.

Last month total amount of gin sold in the UK broke the £1bn barrier for the first time.