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Spirit Production in Ireland - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

IBISWorld IBISWorld London, United Kingdom Last Updated: April 2025 SIC IE-C1101

Revenue

€34.4bn

2025

€35.0bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€X.Xbn

Employees

105k

Businesses

9,700

Wages

€X.Xbn

Spirit Production in Ireland industry analysis

Europe has a large and developed spirit distilling industry, owing to its place in European tradition and large market of alcohol drinkers. Eight of the world's 10 top alcohol-consuming nations lie in Europe. However, the tide is turning, as alcohol consumption is declining across the continent, fuelled by increasing health consciousness. The World Health Organisation's 2021 European health report states that Europeans consume 9.5 litres of pure alcohol, down 21% on 2000. Revenue is projected to fall at a compound annual rate of 5.8% over the five years through 2024, including a 4.8% fall in 2024 to €34.4 billion.

Trends and Insights

  • Europe leads the world in alcohol consumption. However, steered by health concerns, European drinkers are now cutting their alcohol intake, posing a potential threat to demand for spirits.
  • Tariffs are set to cut sales to the US. Europe’s spirits exports face steep US tariffs, risking a 20% sales drop for spirits like cognac. SpiritsEurope estimates €29B in EU-US trade, with job losses likely in production hubs like France’s Charente region if US exports fall.
  • Major manufacturers are hoarding popular brands. Manufacturers like Diageo and Pernod Richard own and operate many of the world's most popular brands across many varieties of liquor. Diageo alone produces 40% of all Scotch whisky.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Spirit Production industry in Ireland in 2025?

The market size of the Spirit Production industry in Ireland is €34.4bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Spirit Production industry in Ireland in 2025?

There are 9,700 businesses in the Spirit Production industry in Ireland, which has grown at a CAGR of 2.6 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Spirit Production industry in Ireland grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Spirit Production industry in Ireland has been declining at a CAGR of 0.7 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Spirit Production industry in Ireland over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Spirit Production industry in Ireland is expected to grow.

What does the Spirit Production industry in Ireland include?

Whiskey and Vodka are part of the Spirit Production industry in Ireland.

How competitive is the Spirit Production industry in Ireland?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Spirit Production industry in Ireland.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Sales and promotion are limited across Europe. Sales of spirits are banned for under 18s in most European countries and under 16 in the rest. Many countries, including Austria, Denmark, France and Ireland, ban or severely limit spirits advertising.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Spirit Production in Ireland industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

On-trade sales slump slash distillery profit. Distilleries have seen significant reductions in earnings as the pandemic and subsequent economic issues have impacted Europeans' discretionary spending, particularly at hospitality venues, despite healthy profit from premium brands.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Spirit Production in Ireland industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2025)
  • Business Growth (2025)
  • Job Growth (2025)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2025)
  • Imports/Demand (2025)
  • Exports/Revenue (2025)
  • Revenue per Employee (2025)
  • Wages/Revenue (2025)
  • Employees per Establishment (2025)
  • Average Wage (2025)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and IBISWorld's proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights. 

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