Consumers have a clear growing taste for spirits, according to a new report published by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI)

Sales for spirits continue to rise and made up a 20.5 percent share of the alcohol product market in 2018, a 5.6 percent increase compared to the previous year. Wine was the only category to decrease, falling slightly by 2 percent to an overall share of 26.7 per cent; since 2001, wine share has almost doubled.

Beer still does remain the nation’s most popular drink, making up a 45.2 percent share of the alcohol product market last year, an increase of 2.7 percent in the volume of beer consumed in 2018. Elsewhere, the market share of cider increased slightly by 0.4 percent to 7.5 percent of all consumption.

The Irish drinks market is highly competitive and constantly evolving in line with consumer preferences and tastes, however consumption remains at a stable level since last year, with a competitive domestic market between all alcohol categories.

Average adult alcohol consumption in 2018 was just over 11 lpa (litres of pure alcohol), relative to 2017, this is a tiny increase of 0.1 percent. This compares to over14.44 lpa at its peak in 2001, 23.2 percent lower in the last 17 years, and a decline of almost 18 percent since 2007.

The report, The Drinks Market Performance 2018, authored by Dublin City University economist Anthony Foley and commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland (DIGI), published ahead of the launch of DIGI’s 2019 Support Your Local’ campaign, also shows that although the Irish retail sector recorded an increase a 3.7 percent in sales volume, bar sales volume, including food and other sales as well as alcohol, decreased by 1.3 percent.

Commenting, Rosemary Garth, Chair of DIGI and Communications and Corporate Affairs Director at Irish Distillers, said the report demonstrates that Irish consumers are “increasingly choosing quality over quantity.”

“The Irish drinks market continues to showcase its contribution to Irish society as it consistently innovates and invests in line with consumer preferences and tastes. What we are seeing in an industry that directly and indirectly employs 90,000 people is businesses and entrepreneurs constantly proving their competitiveness and eagerness to grow, adapt and shift their own business models to develop new, innovative products and services. ”

“The drinks industry is integral to Ireland’s economic wellbeing and development. The combined drinks and hospitality sector, supports over 250,000 jobs across the country, that’s over 10 percent of all jobs.”

To read the full report click HERE