US whiskey exports to EU plunge 35 percent in 2025
USA | US spirits exports were down 3.8 percent in value to USD 2.37 billion in 2025, according to the 2025 American Spirits Exports Report, released on 31 March by the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS). Overall, exports were weighed down by declines in two major markets, Canada and the EU, due to trade tensions and retaliatory actions. Indeed, excluding Canada, US spirits exports were actually up 2.5 percent in 2025.
Exports to Canada fell more than 70 percent as provinces removed American brands from their shelves in March last year. Alberta and Saskatchewan are the only two provinces that have since lifted their bans.
The decline in American whiskey exports was driven by a sharp reduction in exports to the European Union, which were down 35 percent last year. Some producers accelerated exports in 2024 as the EU threatened 30 percent retaliatory tariffs on American spirits, which have been suspended through August.
The decline came after exports had grown five-fold in the past 25 years, from USD 478 million in 2020 to USD 2.37 billion last year, according to the group.
Council CEO Chris Swonger said the 3.8 percent decline in exports underscored the industry's vulnerability to uncertain trade policy and reinforced the importance of having no tariffs on spirits. “When American spirits compete on a level playing field, exports grow, jobs are created, and local economies thrive,” he said in a statement.
In contrast to the declines in sales to Canada and Europe, exports grew to Brazil, the United Kingdom and Australia, the council said.
