Irish Whiskey Association urges tariff cuts in Africa
The Irish Whiskey Association is calling for tariff reductions in African markets in an online business forum, taking place today (15 February).
The EU-Africa Business Forum takes place every three years as part of the EU-Africa Union Summit. The summit joins together African and EU business leaders and political workers to discuss opportunities of investment and economic partnerships between the two continents.
Today, the EU-Africa Business Forum will include an online discussion on the rise of Irish whiskey exports, hosted by the Irish Whiskey Association. Irish whiskey is the largest and fastest-growing EU spirits export to Africa, according to the trade body.
The event, called #DiscoverIrishWhiskey: Leading EU Spirits Exports to Africa, will encourage a reduction of high tariffs on EU spirits in the African market.
William Lavelle, director of the Irish Whiskey Association, commented: “We are calling on the European Commission to seek tariff reductions for EU spirits exports, led by Irish whiskey, to more African markets, which the EU has economic partnership agreements with.”
The request is particularly applicable to regions where the EU has put economic partnership agreements in place, which has resulted in tariff reductions of other EU goods.
Irish whiskey currently faces a 20% tariff in Nigeria, and 25% across Zambia, Kenya and Uganda.
Lavelle added: “Reduction of tariffs will help grow Irish whiskey exports and support more jobs and more purchasing of Irish barley. It will also reduce costs for African consumers and tackle illicit trade which is costing African governments substantially in terms of lost taxes and excise.”
The Irish Whiskey Association revealed that more than 670,000 cases of Irish whiskey were sold in the African continent in 2020. Strong growth was also reported in 2021, particularly in Nigeria, which is said to be one of Irish whiskey’s fastest-growing markets.
Robert Troy, minister of state for trade promotion, digital and company regulation, said: “As one of the world’s fastest growing spirits, the future is indeed bright for the Irish whiskey industry.
“As minister for trade promotion, I am committed to supporting Irish businesses to expand and reach new markets, and the government continues to work toward establishing new trade relationships with our global network and partners, to enable Irish businesses to seize the opportunities these present.”
The event will take place 1pm (GMT) today, and will be moderated by Denis O’Flynn of Clonakilty Distillery and chairman of the Irish Whiskey Association Category Education Committee.
Other speakers include Tendai O’Connor, marketing activation manager, Africa, Pernod Ricard/Jameson; Ese Okpomo, West Africa regional manager, Bord Bia; and Ronan Mullen, deputy head of mission, Irish Embassy in Nigeria.
The Spirits Business recently looked into the future of Irish whiskey, considering the fallout of Brexit and trade barriers.
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