Galway gin producers and brand owners have played a part in developing a new nationwide strategy to maintain market share and grow sales by 2026.
The plan sets out a range of goals and actions to drive exports in key markets and develop a vibrant domestic home market.
It also aims to support the viability of Irish Gin distilleries and ensure the quality and standards of Irish Gin are protected.
There are now at least 37 distilleries across Ireland producing Irish Gin, with over 70 brands.
Michelle McAllister of Ahascragh Distillers Ltd in Galway, which creates Xin Gin, said that they are delighted to have been part of the development of this new strategy.
“We hope to drive growth of our gin both domestically and in key export markets in the years ahead.
“Currently we employ seven people overall in Co. Galway, and our growth will enable us to continue supporting the local economy.”
The Irish Gin Strategy 2022-2026 from Drinks Ireland|Spirits, the all-island trade body, details how Irish gin and gin has experienced a number of years of very fast growth, where sales soared.
Between 2014 and 2020 the category grew by 184%. While the ‘boom’ has been slowing in recent years, 2020 was the first year when Irish Gin and gin sales declined, as a direct result of the pandemic.
As the on-trade reopens, and Global Travel Retail recovers, it is anticipated that the category will return to pre-pandemic levels over time.
Ireland is currently the dominant market for Irish Gin, but the strategy puts a heavy focus on driving export growth, earmarking the UK, USA, Germany, Canada and Global Travel Retail as the key targets in the coming years.
Asia – and China specifically – has also been identified as a target market, due to its size, growing stature and value heritage, which Irish distilling has, and innovation which drives much of the Irish Gin category.
