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News
US whiskey exports to UK double in 10 years
Exports of American whiskey to the UK more than doubled between 2008 and 2018 – an increase of more than 14 million bottles, according to recent figures.
Last year, the equivalent of 27.6m bottles of US whiskey were exported to the UK
In the Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s (WSTA) latest Market Report, the equivalent of 27.6m bottles of US whiskey were exported to the UK in 2018.
The equivalent of approximately 5.5m bottles of imported whiskey – mostly from the US – were sold in pubs, bars and restaurants in the 12 months to November 2018.
In total, the imported whiskey category – which includes US, Japan and Ireland, among others – was worth almost £800m (US$1 billion) in the last 12 months.
The WSTA said the growth in US whiskey comes despite a 25% tariff on the product, imposed in June 2018 by the European Commission in response to president Donald Trump’s tax hikes on imported aluminium and steel.
In addition, the WSTA said that the UK government “has an opportunity to develop trade agreements” outside the EU.
The WSTA is calling on the UK government to focus on suspending the 25% retaliatory tariff on US whiskey “to protect consumers from price hikes”.
The UK alcohol industry is one of the most heavily taxed in Europe and has the fourth highest duty rate for spirits across the EU.
Spirits duty provides £9.1bn (US$11.8bn) to Treasury coffers and creates around 284,000 UK jobs.
Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA, said: “The good news is that UK consumers now enjoy a greater choice of Bourbons and American whiskeys than ever before.
“More and more we find consumers are looking to try a new drink experience which has encouraged spirit producers, including US exporters to introduce new products to the UK market over the last decade.
“Unfortunately, Brits will start to see the price of these drinks rise because of punishing tariffs.”
Earlier this month, the Distilled Spirits Council and almost 150 business groups signed a letter highlighting the negative impact retaliatory tariffs have had on US-made products – including American whiskey.