Imports of Irish whiskey into Australia increased by around 66% in 2024, found Irish food board Bord Bia’s Export Performance and Prospects Report 2024-2025, positioning Australia as Irish whiskey's second most important Asia-Pacific market.
In total, Australian exports contributed €25 million - over $40 million - of the €1 billion total value of Irish whiskey exported in 2024, reflecting a continuation of strong momentum for Irish alcohol exports both in Australia and further afield.
“Annual analysis report from Bord Bia shows a hugely positive performance for the 2024 export value of Irish food and drink at €17 billion,” said Charlie McConalogue, Ireland’s Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
“This is a significant achievement, given the prevailing impact of cost inflation and market volatility. Despite these ongoing challenges, the sector time and again proves its resilience.”
Jim O’Toole, Bord Bia’s CEO, says the growth “is a testament to the industry’s focus on strategic market diversification, investment in sustainable practices, and commitment to world-class quality and traceability standards, evident throughout the supply chain.”
While best known for its approchable, smooth profile and layers of flavour, Irish whiskey's market diversification is resulting in a vast array of styles and subcategories that each appeals to a different type of consumer.
This includes Bacardi-backed Teeling, which recently released a premium ex-Mugi Shochu cask-finished whiskey to the Australian market.
Similarly, new entrant to Australia Two Stacks’ Dram in a Can is employing a new approach to the category through its innovative, environmentally-friendly can format.
However, it is not only the new-age Irish whiskeys that are propelling the category forwards. Bushmills - the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world - has also reported strong growth over recent years while continuing to remain true to its principles and traditional production methods.
Jim O'Toole expects Irish whiskey's current growth trend to continue throughout 2025.
“The confidence and continued ambition of the industry is clear in the results of Bord Bia’s CEO Sentiment Survey, showing that most Irish food and drink exporters remain optimistic about achieving growth in 2025, despite the business environment and operating challenges,” he said.
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