The Irish whiskey industry is set to skyrocket over the next few years after the launch of the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA) this week.
The Irish Whiskey sector are planning to invest €1 billion into Ireland over the next 10 years. There are 15 distilleries currently in development across the country.
The IWA will bring companies together to promote Irish whiskey which is one of Ireland’s most popular products. Exports are expected to go through the roof.
Indeed Irish Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Simon Coveney says that whiskey exports should double by the year 2020 and then double again by 2030.
Chairman of the Irish Whiskey Association Peter Morehead said: “Last year, our companies exported 6.2 million 9-litre cases worldwide; we expect that number to double to 12 million cases by 2020 and double again to 24 million cases by 2030.”
The industry has already seen a huge growth in the last ten years. In 2003, it accounted for 9% of all beverage exports from Ireland. Last year that figure had risen to 28%. The 6.2m cases of exports represent a 220% rise in that time and are currently worth €350m.
