SpiritsEurope: EU Spirits Exports Fall 6%, China Down 50%

EU Spirits Exports Fall to €8.26 Billion in 2025 as Mature Markets Slow and Anti-Dumping Tariffs Hit Core Categories

European spirits industry body SpiritsEurope recently released its latest report, titled "A Spirit of Determination." Data shows that total EU spirits exports in 2025 reached €8.26 billion, a 6% year-on-year decline. This figure reflects the ongoing challenges brought by geopolitical tensions, uncertain economic prospects, and international trade disruptions. Spirits currently account for approximately 3% of the EU's agri-food exports, with more than 55% of export revenue generated from outside the European Union.

Demand Slows Across Mature Markets in the US, UK, and ASEAN

Softening demand in mature markets was the primary driver of the overall export decline. The United States, the largest export market for EU spirits, saw exports decline by 9% last year to €2.58 billion, though it still registered a 15% increase over the past decade. The second-largest market, the United Kingdom, fell 4% to €858 million. The 11 ASEAN nations as a whole dropped 15% to €670 million, with Thailand down slightly by 6% and Malaysia plunging 34%.

China Slumps Over 50% in Two Years; Cognac Region Hit Hard by Trade Disputes

Performance in China, the third-largest market, was particularly weak, with exports dropping 15% year-on-year to €608 million. Squeezed by China's anti-dumping measures against EU brandy, sluggish consumer spending, and declining demand for ultra-premium spirits, EU spirits exports to China have plummeted by more than 50% over the past two years. Raphaël Delpech, Director General of the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), noted that trade disputes have dealt a severe blow to Cognac houses and winegrowers. Last year, Cognac suffered double-digit declines in both global export volume and value, with shipments to the Far East plunging by 20.5%.

Emerging Markets like India Grow Rapidly; Whisky Retains Top Export Share

Emerging markets proved to be a notable bright spot. India's imports of EU spirits grew 10% year-on-year to €91 million last year, surging by an impressive 682% over the decade since 2015. In addition, Mexico rose 22% to €119 million, Mercosur expanded by 16%, and Sub-Saharan Africa recorded a 25% increase.

By category, whisky held the largest share of EU spirits exports at 21% of the total, followed by wine spirits/grape brandy (19%), liqueurs (19%), and vodka (13%). Pauline Bastidon, Director of Trade and Economic Affairs at SpiritsEurope, emphasized that while European spirits possess profound craftsmanship and iconic brands, emerging markets cannot immediately replace traditional core destinations. She called on the EU to establish stable trade policies to support the sector through current headwinds.

📅 Publication Date: 2026-09-08

🔗 Source: The Spirits Business