In 2024, the European Union exported €29.8 billion worth of alcoholic beverages, marking a 10.9% increase compared to €26.9 billion in 2019, according to recent trade data.
Wine made from fresh grapes, including fortified varieties, dominated EU exports, accounting for 56.2% of the total value (€16.8 billion). Spirits and liqueurs formed the second-largest category, comprising 29.7% (€8.9 billion) of exports, while beer represented 11.5% (€3.4 billion). Other fermented beverages—such as cider, perry, mead, and saké—contributed 1.7% (€0.5 billion), and vermouth along with other plant-flavoured wines accounted for 1.0% (€0.3 billion).
France emerged as the leading EU exporter of alcoholic beverages to non-EU countries, recording €12.1 billion in exports and representing 41% of the total. The majority of France’s exports consisted of wine (66.7%, €8.1 billion) and spirits and liqueurs (31.8%, €3.8 billion).
Italy ranked second, exporting €6.0 billion worth of alcoholic beverages, equivalent to 20% of total EU exports outside the bloc. Wine constituted the bulk of Italy’s exports, representing 81.1% (€4.9 billion) of its total. Spain and the Netherlands followed, each accounting for 8% of total EU alcoholic beverage exports, with shipments valued at €2.5 billion and €2.3 billion, respectively. Spain’s exports were mainly wine (€1.6 billion), whereas beer led the Netherlands’ exports (€1.3 billion).
The United States remained the largest destination for EU alcoholic beverages in 2024, with imports totalling €8.9 billion, or 30% of the EU’s global exports. Wine accounted for more than half of this figure (€4.9 billion), followed by spirits and liqueurs (€2.9 billion).
The United Kingdom was the second-largest market, importing €4.9 billion worth of alcoholic beverages (17% of the total), largely driven by wine (68%, €3.3 billion). China and Canada each received €1.6 billion in EU alcoholic beverage exports, while Switzerland imported €1.4 billion. While exports to Canada and Switzerland were predominantly wine, spirits and liqueurs were the leading export category to China, amounting to €0.7 billion (45%), followed by wine (€0.5 billion, 34%).
You Might Be Interested In:
