Competition and cost pressures hit export values of Irish spirits

Drinks Ireland | Spirits director Aengus King said the Irish spirits sector delivered continues to be 'confronted with challenging international markets'

Overall export volume in this sector also declined by 1.4% last year and, while Irish whiskey shipped almost 15m cases last year, the value of these exports plunged 14% to €875m. Picture: Artur Widak/NurPhoto

Ireland’s alcoholic drinks sector was hit by competition and weaker spending last year, as inflationary pressures weighed on consumers, according to an industry representative group.

Drinks Ireland | Spirits, an arm of lobby group Ibec, said the value of export sales fell to €1.3bn, diving 9% compared to the previous year, as prices somewhat stabilised amid cooling inflation.