The value of Irish whiskey exports to the all-island economy exceeded one billion euros for the first time in 2022, according to the Irish Whiskey Association.
It said the growth in Irish whiskey exports has created more quality jobs, brought more investment into regional and rural communities, and led to more purchasing from Irish farmers.
"Breaking one billion in export value represents another important milestone in the Irish whiskey renaissance and confirms the importance of our unique all-island industry to our shared economy, north and south," said William Lavelle, Director of the Irish Whiskey Association.
The association said the growing global demand for premium, higher priced Irish whiskey was one of the key drivers of growth for the industry.
It also said the rise of e-commerce as major sales channels post-Covid, and an increased interest in Irish whiskey from the millennial and generation Z consumer segments helped to grow exports last year.
Looking ahead into 2023, Mr Lavelle said the Irish Whiskey Association is reiterating its call for the proactive expansion of free trade agreements with positive trading partners, to support the continuing growth of Irish whiskey exports.
According to Mr Lavelle, priorities identified by the Irish Whiskey Association for this year include the protection of free trade with the United States and the avoidance of future trade disputes in the context of concerns regarding the US Inflation Reduction Act and unresolved disputes on steel and aluminium.
He also said the completion of EU trade negotiations with Australia and Kenya, and of both EU and UK trade negotiation with India are priority areas, with a view to delivering tariff reductions in these markets.
The association said it is also hoping for the progression of the proposed EU-Mercosur free trade agreement following the election of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in Brazil, and efforts to agree additional commitments on deforestation and climate change.
