Vision for Irish whiskey

Economic impact and ambition for the future
The Irish whiskey industry is one of Ireland’s
fastest growing industry sectors. The industry
exports over 95% of its production, with whiskey
exports in 2013 growing in value terms by over
14% in a year when total beverages exports fell
by over 2.5%. In many ways Irish whiskey in the
last decade has been a story of rapid convergence
with exports growing by 220% since 2003.
In 2013 one in three euros addition to the Irish
economy from beverages exports were from Irish
whiskey.
This section sets out the value of Irish whiskey
to the Irish economy at present and particularly
to its key food and drink sector. We look at Irish
whiskey’s impact alone and in comparison with
other major food and drink categories. In addition
we look at the future expansion expected by firms
in the industry: their planned investment and
expected capacity over the long term. The sector
has the potential to be in uniquely accurate in this
regard as the timelines in whiskey production are
far in excess of in other manufacturing sectors.
1. Economic impact
2. Irish whiskey in comparison
3. Future expansion of the Irish whiskey industry
The Ibec Economics Unit carried out full analysis
of the survey to complete this economic impact
assessment. The survey results are supplemented
with official data on exports and cross checked
with market data from various sources. As a result
we are confident the figures produced provide a
comprehensive view of the Irish whiskey industry
in 2014. The following section provides a detailed
overview of the economic impact of the sector in
the domestic economy and its export markets.
Domestic economic impact
Respondents to the Irish Whiskey Association
survey showed that the sector employs 748
people, with a turnover of almost €400 million
and an annual domestic spend of €237 million.
Expenditure on investment is the main economic
contribution of the sector and constitutes €90
million of the overall economic expenditure
of €237 million followed by €64 million on
services and €35 million on materials, as well
as in the region of €45 million per annum on
employee wages and salaries.
Domestic expenditure
1. Economic impact
The Irish Whiskey Association undertook a
survey of the sector between February and
March of 2014. Topics covered production and
employment, tourism, links with the domestic
economy, plans for future investment and some
qualitative information. In all responses were
received from almost 70% of whiskey companies
in Ireland. This included all current production
operations on the island of Ireland with
respondents covering about 95% of the market
value of Irish whiskey. Statistics produced from
this survey are over 90% for all major production
units on the island.
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200
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Materials Services Capital Labour Total
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