Jameson maker Irish Distillers sees sales fall 4% amid US decline 

Company achieved net sales growth of 9% in markets outside of the US 

Irish Distillers, the maker of Jameson whiskey, reported a global net sales decline of 4%, as the company continued to feel the effects of tougher conditions in its key US market.

Irish Distillers, the maker of Jameson whiskey, reported a global net sales decline of 4%, as the company continued to feel the effects of tougher conditions in its key US market.

Its flagship product Jameson, the world's best selling Irish whiskey, achieved net sales growth of 9% in markets outside of the US for the year to June 2026. Irish Distillers' overall 4% decline was in line with the performance of its French parent group Pernod Ricard, which reported a 3.9% organic sales decline for the period, after 'soft' demand in the US and China and disruption from the Middle East. Pernod reported sales of €9.4bn in the year to June 30, which was worse than the 3.7% sales contraction expected by analysts, according to a company compiled consensus.

The company employs over 800 people across operations in Cork, Dublin and Northern Ireland. Midleton Distillery whiskeys are exported to over 130 markets around the world. Improved results were evident in the second half of the year, the company said. “Irish Distillers’ full year 2026 financial results highlight the success of our long-term strategy to expand the global footprint of Jameson," said Irish Distillers Nodjame Fouad. 

"While the US continues to face soft market conditions, our long-term confidence in this market is demonstrated by a series of significant recent investments, including a landmark partnership with the NFL, making Jameson its official spirits sponsor."

India, the second largest market for Jameson, continued to accelerate during the financial year while double-digit growth was recorded across the portfolio in global travel retail, Germany, and Poland, as well as emerging markets in Mexico, China and Nigeria.

"As we look ahead, we remain focused on continuing to bring the taste of Jameson and our broader Irish whiskey portfolio to more people around the world,” said Ms Fouad.

Pernod is the second-largest Western spirits group behind Diageo. said that for full fiscal year 2027 that started on July 1, it expected organic net sales to be broadly stable, with the U.S. and Chinese markets still hit by inventory adjustments in the first quarter.

The maker of Martell cognac and Absolut vodka also trimmed its medium-term sales growth guidance, citing said current weakness in the US market. Pernod is now projecting organic net sales growth to be on average closer to the lower end of a 3%-6% sales growth range between 2027 and 2029.

Profit from recurring operations stood at €2.42bn, marking an organic decline of 5.2%, which was better than the 5.9% fall expected by analysts.

Additional reporting by Reuters