Irish whiskey exports surpass €1bn
The Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) has published its latest Irish Whiskey in Numbers report, with sales exceeding 15 million cases in 2024.
The report uses figures from Bord Bia – the Irish food board – and IWSR.
Total exports were €1 billion (US$1.04bn), with 113 markets reached. The fastest-growing market was India, with exports soaring by 107%.
IWA added that 90% of all whiskey produced in Ireland is exported. Of what is exported, more than 90% is into markets with legal protection for the category.
The report also noted that 800,000 people visited whiskey distillery experiences in Ireland last year. There are 28 visitor experiences in the nation, with a total of 50 working distilleries.
The IWA created Irish Whiskey 360º in 2019 to boost tourism, followed by a distillery passport initiative in 2021.
Around 10,000 people are employed in the brewing and distilling industries in Ireland.
Eoin Ó Catháin, director of the IWA, said: “The success of the Irish whiskey sector is due to the innovation, resilience and hard work of our producers – passionate distillers that are found in almost every county in Ireland, deeply proud of the heritage of Irish whiskey.
“Last year, we celebrated 700 years since the publication of the Red Book of Ossory, with its instructions for distilling aqua vitae – or uisce beatha – which, of course, we know today as whiskey.
“The ongoing hard work and ingenuity of Irish whiskey producers provides a solid platform for the next 700 years!”
Earlier this year, Bord Bia revealed exports rose by 13% in value last year with growth across all markets except the UK.
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