The EU exported EUR 29.8 billion worth of alcoholic drinks in 2024, according to figures released by Eurostat, with France by far the main EU exporter to countries outside the EU.
The figures from the EU’s statistics agency show an increase of 10.9 per cent since 2019 (EUR 26.9 billion), with exports dominated by wine of fresh grapes, including fortified wines, representing 56.2% (€16.8 billion) of all alcoholic beverages.
Spirits and liqueurs make up the second biggest category, with 29.7% of the total (€8.9 billion), followed by beer, with 11.5% (€3.4 billion); cider, perry, mead, saké, and other fermented beverages, with 1.7% (€0.5 billion); and vermouth and other wines flavoured with plants or aromatics, with 1.0% (€0.3 billion).
France’s exports of alcoholic beverages to countries outside the EU totalled €12.1 billion in 2024, representing 41% of the total. France exported mostly wine (66.7% or €8.1 billion) and spirits and liqueurs (31.8% or €3.8 billion).
Italy followed in the 2nd place, with €6.0 billion (20% of the total EU exports to countries outside the EU), most of which (81.1% or €4.9 billion) was related to the export of wine. Spain and the Netherlands exported €2.5 billion and €2.3 billion (each 8%), respectively, but while the most significant category for Spain was wine (€1.6 billion), for the Netherlands it was beer (€1.3 billion).
The United States was the main destination for EU alcoholic beverages in 2024, with exports totalling €8.9 billion (30% of the total). More than half of this value, €4.9 billion, is related to export of wine and another €2.9 billion to spirits and liqueurs.
The United Kingdom was the second biggest trade partner, with €4.9 billion (17% of the total), mostly connected to wine exports (68% or €3.3 billion). This country was followed by China and Canada (each €1.6 billion) and Switzerland (1.4 billion). While exports of alcoholic beverages to Canada and Switzerland were mostly wine, the main export category to China was spirits and liqueurs, with €0.7 billion (45%), followed by wine (€0.5 billion, 34%).
