French spirits exports in decline for third year
Global exports of French spirits plunged by 17.4% in value in 2025, marking the category’s third year in decline.
Global sales of French spirits fell to €3.7 billion (US$4.4bn) in 2025, while volumes dropped by 5.2% to 43.95 million nine-litre cases, data from trade body the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux (FEVS) revealed.
It marked the category’s third consecutive year in decline after exports fell by 6.5% in value in 2024, and by 12% in 2023. Volume-wise, French spirits exports dipped by 1.8% in 2024 and by 13% the previous year.
In 2022, described as a ‘record year’ for French wine and spirits, exports of spirits increased by 11.6%, with volumes up by 2.2% to 55.7m cases.
FEVS attributed the category’s decline last year to tensions in its two biggest markets, China and the US.
Cognac suffered the biggest value decrease of all spirits, plunging by 23.8% to €2.27bn (US$2.7bn), while its volumes dropped by 14.7%. to 11.77m cases. France’s national spirit is by far the country’s biggest spirits export, followed by vodka, which was down by 1.6% in value to €417 million (US$497m).
Volumes of Cognac have not grown since 2021, when exports soared by 16.4%.
Vodka and liqueurs on the rise
In terms of volume, exports of French vodka grew by 2.4% last year to 9.75m cases, while liqueurs also increased (up 3.3% to 4.7m cases). Value-wise, liqueurs dipped by 1.8% to €370m (US$441m).
Calvados was the only spirit to post a value increase, up by 7.3% to €17m (US$20m), but its volumes decreased by 2.1%.
Meanwhile, both Armagnac and other wine-based spirits saw their volumes and values drop by double digits last year. Armagnac fell by 13% in value to €16m and by 22.1% in volume.
The ‘other wine spirits’ category sank by 10.3% in value to €150m (US$178m) and by 17.8% in volume.
The vermouth category saw a volume rise of 7.8%, while its value decreased by 2.7% to €124m (US$148m).
French wine exports were also in decline last year at a smaller rate compared to spirits – down by 4.1% in value to €10.5bn (US$12.5bn). In terms of volume, wine slipped by 2.8%.
Total French wine and spirits exports decreased by 3.3% in volume and by 7.9% in value to €14.3bn (US$17bn) last year.
“In 2025, our exports declined both in volume and value. Nevertheless, wine and spirits remain the France’s third-largest trade surplus,” said Gabriel Picard, president of FEVS.
“Geopolitical tensions, trade disputes, exchange-rate fluctuations, as well as declining consumer confidence, have weighed on our exports.”
Major markets in decline
Geographically, US exports of wine and spirits plunged in value by 21% to €3bn (US$3.6bn). Volumes fell by 9% to below the 30m-case threshold.
China’s shipments of wine and spirits slowed, plummeting by 20% to €767m (US$913.6m), which FEVS blamed on China’s anti-dumping duties placed on Cognac, Armagnac and other French wine-based spirits.
Meanwhile, French wine and spirits exports fell by 4% in value in the UK to €1.6bn (US$1.9bn). The EU was stable, dipping by 1% to €4.1bn (US$4.9bn).
Japan and Thailand stabilised, according to FEVS, with their values at €648m (US$772m) and €61m (US$72.6m) respectively. Vietnam was back at its 2023 levels, rising by 5% to €24m (US$29m), and the Philippines soared by 20% to €13m (US$15.5m).
South Africa also posted strong growth, up by 22% to €182m (US$217m).
Reflecting on the year ahead, Picard said: “In a context marked by rising geopolitical tensions and a difficult global economic environment, it is crucial – for the long-term viability of our sector, our companies and our winegrowers – that policymakers implement the political and regulatory measures needed to ensure the sector’s competitiveness across our various markets.”
He highlighted the importance of trade deals negotiated by the EU, which support the wine and spirits industry through “wealth creation and employment in France”.
Picard continued: “French wine and spirits companies have always demonstrated openness to the world and a strong entrepreneurial spirit. In the face of today’s challenges, they remain combative in defending their positions and building new commercial horizons.
“These successes will be decisive, both for the future of our exports and for the balance of the entire wine and spirits value chain.”
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