U.S. spirits exports achieved a record $2.4 billion in 2024, up nearly 10% compared to 2023, according to the American Spirits Exports Report released by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).

The growth in U.S. exports in 2024 was driven by a 39% increase in exports to the European Union (EU), which has zero tariffs on spirits imports. Exports to the rest of the world declined by nearly 10%, reflecting a softening of the global spirits market.

The report attributes the surge in exports to the EU to concerns over the potential return of tariffs on American Whiskeys in 2025, which were suspended in 2022. Another factor included the uncertainty at East and Gulf Coast ports due to labor negotiations and a brief port strike in the fall.

“U.S. spirits exports hit a new high in 2024, recapturing lost market share since the UK and EU lifted retaliatory tariffs that were applied between 2018-2021 in connection with two trade disputes,” DISCUS President and CEO Chris Swonger said in a statement. “Unfortunately, ongoing trade disputes unrelated to our sector have caused uncertainty, keeping many U.S. distillers on the sidelines and curtailing sales growth. 

“The EU’s recent decision not to reimpose a retaliatory tariff on American Whiskeys and other U.S. spirits is a positive first step toward getting the U.S.-EU spirits sectors back to zero-for-zero tariffs and untangling spirits from these trade disputes.”

Driven in large part by the EU’s and UK’s retaliatory tariffs, total U.S. spirits and American Whiskey exports tumbled by 12% and 18%, respectively, between 2018-2021. American Whiskey exports to the EU, the largest American Whiskey export market, plunged 20%, from $552 million to $439 million during the same time.

Since the tariffs were suspended in 2022, American Whiskey exports to the EU surged nearly 60%, climbing from $439 million in 2021 to $699 million in 2024.

The report showed that U.S. spirits exports have quintupled since 2000, rising from $478 million in 2000 to more than $2.4 billion in 2024. Growth of U.S. spirits exports is due, in large part, to the U.S. spirits sector having a fair and reciprocal playing field with 51 countries that have provided tariff-free access for U.S. spirits, including the EU, Canada, Mexico, Japan and many others.

Nearly 86% of U.S. spirits exports go to countries that have eliminated tariffs on U.S. spirits. Additionally, approximately 98% of spirits imports originate from countries that have eliminated tariffs on U.S. spirits exports.

Other factors that have driven long-term growth in exports include the shift by consumers in key markets towards premium American spirits, the continued strengthening of the global hospitality sector following the pandemic, and the rise in U.S. distilleries – from less than 100 in 2005 to nearly 3,100 today, many of which now export.

Uncertain Outlook for 2025

Swonger stated that the outlook for 2025 U.S. spirits exports is highly unpredictable due to ongoing trade disputes, negotiations and retaliatory tariffs. Canada, the second largest market for U.S. spirits exports, began imposing a 25% tariff on all U.S. spirits on March 13, and most Canadian provinces have removed all U.S. alcohol products from retail stores.

Additionally, U.S. spirits are being hit with a 160% retaliatory tariff in China and a 70% retaliatory tariff by Türkiye.

“We are thankful for President Trump’s early success in securing India’s reduction of its tariff on Bourbon from 150% to 100%,” Swonger said. “It’s our hope that the administration builds on this positive momentum by securing additional tariff reductions in India and reducing trade barriers in other countries.”

Continued long-term growth for the industry will be dependent on ensuring a permanent return to zero-for-zero spirits tariffs with the 51 countries and securing new market opening agreements with countries where high spirits tariffs are still applied, such as India, Vietnam, South Africa and others.

NEW TODAY: We released our 2024 American Spirits Exports Report which showed U.S. spirits exports achieved a record $2.4 billion in 2024, up nearly 10% compared to 2023. The growth in U.S. exports in 2024 was driven by a 39% increase in exports to the European Union (EU), which… pic.twitter.com/UucLUXU4Cf

— Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (@DistilledSpirit) April 24, 2025

Among the report’s other key findings:

The EU is the largest export market for U.S. spirits.

• Approximately 50% of U.S. spirits were exported to the EU (totaling $1.2 billion), making it the largest export market.
• The top five markets for U.S. spirits in 2024 were: 1) European Union ($1.2 billion); 2) Canada ($221 million); 3) United Kingdom ($137 million); 4) Australia ($131 million); and 5) Mexico ($126 million).

American Whiskey exports declined in 2024 but continue to lead U.S. spirits exports.

• American Whiskey exports, which accounted for 54% of all U.S. spirits exports, dipped 5.4% to $1.3 billion.
• The top five markets for American Whiskeys in 2024 were: 1) European Union ($699 million); 2) Australia ($113 million); 3) United Kingdom ($86 million); 4) Japan ($79 million); and 5) Canada ($73 million).

 Cordials and Vodka exports reached record levels and drove overall U.S. spirits exports growth in 2024.

• In 2024, exports of cordials and vodka reached new records, with cordials rising by 128% to $367 million and vodka increasing by 82% to $292 million compared to 2023.

Distilled spirits were exported from 43 states in 2024.

The top 10 states exporting U.S. spirits were: 1) Tennessee ($934 million); 2) Kentucky ($751 million); 3) Texas ($354); 4) Florida ($334 million); 5) Indiana ($142 million); 6) Illinois ($128 million); 7) California ($70 million); 8) Arkansas ($46 million); 9) Maine ($37 million); and New York ($29 million).

Read more: DISCUS: Spirits Industry Holds Steady in Market Share