EU-India deal positive news for Irish whiskey
The EU-India free trade agreement (FTA) could open up “significant opportunities” for Irish whiskey, Ireland’s minister for agriculture has said.
The European Union (EU) and India signed off on a landmark free trade agreement earlier this week (27 January), which would include dropping the current 150% tariff placed on EU spirits exports to India down to 40%.
SpiritsEurope director general Mark Titterington called the agreement “a real game changer for our sector”.
The minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, has also welcomed the deal and believes Irish whiskey will see benefits from the tariff reduction.
“The agreement reached between the EU and India is a positive one for the Irish agri-food sector,” he said. “It provides significant opportunities for our spirit drinks exports – particularly for Irish whiskey in what is both the world’s largest whiskey market and the fastest growing market for our whiskey exports.”
The agreement is expected to double EU exports to India by 2032 by eliminating or reducing tariffs. The tariff will be gradually lowered to 40% through a phrased approach.
The Drinks Ireland | Spirits 2024 Annual Report found Irish whiskey exports to India soared by 57% in 2024, overtaking the UK as the category’s fifth-largest export market.
Irish agri-food exports to India totalled €40.5 million (US$48.4m) in 2024, which was almost double the value of exports in 2023. Irish whiskey led the sector with €30.3m (US$36.2m) worth of that figure.
Earlier this month, Bord Bia revealed that exports of Irish whiskey declined by 5% in value in 2025, which was largely put down to challenges in the US, its biggest market.
India, however, was noted as a key growth driver, increasing exports by 75% since 2023.
Last year, the UK also finalised a FTA with India after three years of negotiation – which was hailed by the Scotch industry.
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