Ireland’s alcohol and beverage sector remains a key part of the wider food and drink industry. It combines strong export performance with fast innovation. It has responded to changing consumer behaviour, sustainability demands, and regulatory pressure. While total alcohol use keeps falling over time, the sector stays strong through premiumisation and diversification.
Sector Performance and Market Context
The Irish drinks industry delivered strong export results in 2025. Alcoholic drinks exports rose by 2% to just over €2 billion. This happened despite a tough global trading environment.
Irish whiskey is still the flagship category. It makes up about half of the total export value. Beer and cream liqueurs also show steady recovery and growth in key global markets.
Domestically, Ireland’s beverage market is undergoing structural change. Per-capita alcohol use has kept falling. Health awareness, changing social norms, and younger people drinking less often drive it.
However, consumers support value growth by choosing higher-quality, distinctive products. They also engage with brands that offer authenticity, provenance, and craftsmanship.
Key Categories
Irish Whiskey and Spirits
Irish whiskey continues to be the leading export category, supported by strong brand equity, tourism‑linked visitor experiences and ongoing international demand. Distilleries are increasingly investing in innovation, sustainability and experiential offerings to differentiate in a highly competitive global market.
Beer and Cider
Irish beer exports have shown consistent recovery since 2022, with growth across the UK and select EU markets. Craft and independent brewers continue to play an important role in the sector, with many rooted in local communities and producing distinctive beers in smaller batches.
Low‑ and No‑Alcohol Beverages
One of the fastest‑growing segments in the sector is low‑ and no‑alcohol drinks. Health and wellness trends are growing.
Gen Z and millennials are leading this shift. As a result, more people want alcohol-free beer, wine, and spirits. Ready-to-drink options that support moderation and mindful drinking are also growing.
Origin Green and Environmental Improvement
Environmental performance is an area of focus for a number of Irish drinks producers. Some producers have set targets relating to areas such as emissions, energy use, packaging and sourcing. The actions and progress reported vary by producer.
Our producers participate in Origin Green or other industry programmes. Origin Green is Ireland’s national food and drink sustainability programme, operated and established as a public-authority programme by Bord Bia. Verified Origin Green members have an approved Origin Green Sustainability Plan with measurable targets and report on progress against that plan, with independent verification or review as part of the programme. Origin Green membership does not certify any individual product or mean that any product has a lower environmental impact.
Individual producers may undertake projects relating to energy use, water use and packaging. Information about specific initiatives and reported results should be obtained directly from the relevant producer. These initiatives provide participating producers with a framework for setting targets and reporting progress.
Regulatory and Operating Environment
The sector operates within a complex regulatory landscape shaped by public health policy, evolving advertising rules and excise structures. Industry bodies still support evidence-based rules that reflect Ireland’s changing views on alcohol. They back moderate drinking and growth in new areas, like zero-alcohol products.
Spirit of Ireland programme
Our Spirit of Ireland programme showcases the heritage, innovation and global appeal of Irish spirits. Developed by Bord Bia, the programme highlights Irish whiskey, gin, poitín and cream liqueurs, connecting buyers with the stories and people behind Ireland’s spirits renaissance. Find out more about Spirit of Ireland.
Why choose Irish alcohol and beverage suppliers?
Irish alcohol and beverage suppliers offer:
- Proven export capability across over 100 international markets
- Information on provenance, traceability and relevant assurance or sustainability programme participation, where applicable
- A diverse portfolio spanning premium, craft and alcohol‑free products
- Deep expertise in brand storytelling, heritage and innovation
Together, these strengths contribute to Ireland’s diverse alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks offering. Buyers, retailers and foodservice operators can explore a wide range of products and supplier capabilities across the sector.
Suppliers in this Category
Specialists in
Premium Irish cream liqueur
Markets
Africa, Asia, Europe, Middle East, Oceania, South America
Specialists in
Unique expressions of handcrafted Irish whiskeys
Markets
Africa, Asia, Europe, Great Britain, Middle East, North America, Oceania, South America
Specialists in
Branded Product and Private label
Markets
Europe, Great Britain, Ireland
Specialists in
Brewing, distilling and related activities
Markets
Europe
Specialists in
Leading spirits and wines and producing the world's most well-known and successful Irish whiskeys.
Markets
Africa, Asia, Europe, Great Britain, Ireland, Middle East, North America, Oceania, South America
IrishFoodAndDrink.com lists drinks suppliers operating across retail, foodservice and export markets. Buyers can filter by product type, certification and market served to identify suitable Irish producers. This directory provides direct company profiles and contact details to support sourcing decisions.