EU exports of alcoholic beverages worth €29.8 billion

According to Eurostat, alcoholic beverage exports from the European Union will reach €29.8bn in 2024, an increase of 10.9% compared to 2019 (€26.9bn). Wine dominates the structure of shipments outside the EU, accounting for 56.2% of all volumes (€16.8bn). This is followed by spirits and liqueurs (29.7% or €8.9bn), beer (11.5% or €3.4bn), cider, honey wines and sake (1.7% or €0.5bn), and vermouth and flavoured wines (1% or €0.3bn).

France retained its status as the EU's leading alcohol exporter, shipping €12.1bn worth of products abroad (41% of the total), of which 66.7% was wine and 31.8% spirits.

Italy ranked second with exports worth €6.0bn, where wine accounts for an impressive 81.1% (€4.9bn).

Spain and the Netherlands, both with a share of 8% (approximately €2.5bn and €2.3bn respectively), show a different profile: Spain's main export remains wine, while the Netherlands specialises in beer (€1.3bn).

The US was the largest market for alcoholic beverages from the EU, purchasing €8.9bn worth of goods (30% of all exports). Wine accounted for more than half of this amount (€4.9bn), followed by spirits (€2.9bn).

The UK came second with €4.9bn (17% of total exports), with wine accounting for the lion's share (68%) (€3.3bn). China and Canada shared third place (€1.6bn each), while Switzerland purchased €1.4bn worth of products.

Despite the economic and logistical challenges of recent years, the European spirits industry has shown impressive resilience and continues to grow export volumes. Strategic markets - the US, the UK and China - remain key to the continued growth of European wine, spirits and beer producers.