![\"Cognac-Masters-2025\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/Cognac-Masters-2025-640x404.jpg\")
Cognac producers have been particularly impacted by a decline in China<\/p>\nEuropean spirits exports fell by 6% in value last year due to declines in its key export markets, the US and China.<\/p>\n
Cognac producers have been particularly impacted by a decline in China<\/p>\n
Trade body SpiritsEurope revealed the 2025 export data as part of its A Spirit of Determination report.<\/p>\n
Total EU spirits exports reached \u20ac8.26 billion (US$9.6bn) in 2025, up 30% over the last decade. The category accounts for just 3% of EU agri-food exports.<\/p>\n
The 6% overall drop last year reportedly reflects an \u2018increasingly challenging global trading environment, marked by geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainty, and disruptions to international trade\u2019.<\/p>\n
Exports to the US \u2013 the biggest market for EU spirits \u2013 fell by 9% to \u20ac2.58bn (US$3bn) last year, but grew by 15% from 2015 to 2025.<\/p>\n
China\u2019s decline was steeper last year, with a 15% decline to \u20ac608 million (US$706m). Over the last 10 years, however, exports to China, the third-leading market for EU spirits, have soared by 74%.<\/p>\n
The second-largest market for EU spirits, the UK, dropped 4% to \u20ac858m (US$996.5m).<\/p>\n
The ASEAN region, which covers 11 Southeast Asian countries, fell by 15% to \u20ac670m (US$778m). Thailand was down by 6%, and Malaysia plummeted by a third (34%).<\/p>\n
Spirits Europe was part of a trade mission to Thailand in May 2026, where the country was confirmed as having \u201cstrong potential as a growth market\u201d for EU spirits.<\/p>\n
Exports to India up 682% over 10 years<\/strong><\/p>\n While its major markets declined last year, EU spirits exports saw growth in emerging regions.<\/p>\n India was a standout region, with exports up by 10% last year to \u20ac91m (US$105m), skyrocketing by 682% in the 10 years to 2025.<\/p>\n Mexico, along with South America, was also a bright spot for EU spirits exports. Mexico grew by 22% to \u20ac119m (US$138m), Mercosur \u2013 Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay \u2013 was up 16% to \u20ac78m (US$90.5m), and Latin America grew by 10% to \u20ac417m (US$484m).<\/p>\n Exports to Sub-Saharan Africa grew by 25% to \u20ac581m (US$675m), with growth in South Africa (up 30%), Kenya (up 13%), and Nigeria (up 12%).<\/p>\n According to SpiritsEurope, more than 55% of the nation\u2019s spirits exports by value were destined for markets outside of the EU in 2025.<\/p>\n \u201cThe trading environment facing European spirits producers is undoubtedly challenging, and geopolitical tensions, economic headwinds and disruptions to global trade are having a real impact on our sector,\u201d said Pauline Bastidon, director of trade and economic affairs at SpiritsEurope.<\/p>\n \u201cBut we are determined to pull through. European spirits have strong assets: iconic products, global recognition, deep-rooted expertise, and an ability to adapt to changing markets. Our producers are ready to do their part. What we need is an open trade policy that supports them in these efforts.\u201d<\/p>\n While there was growth in emerging markets, SpiritsEurope warned these regions \u201ccannot replace established ones overnight, particularly where European spirits producers have built strong commercial relationships and invested over decades\u201d and centuries.<\/p>\n The trade body is calling for a \u201cpragmatic EU trade policy\u201d based on three priorities.<\/p>\n Bastidon added: \u201cFirst and foremost, we need the EU to maintain stable and predictable trading relationships with our established partners and remove unnecessary barriers that make it harder for European spirits to compete. At the same time, we need to open new opportunities through ambitious trade agreements, trade diplomacy and promotion, while recognising that new markets cannot replace traditional growth engines overnight.\u201d<\/p>\n She concluded: \u201cWith the right support from an open and ambitious EU trade policy, we can continue to compete, grow and contribute to European competitiveness.\u201d<\/p>\n In addition, the report called for the EU and US to \u201cdeepen their strategic cooperation\u201d by creating a Working Committee for spirits trade, which could help boost market access.<\/p>\n Cognac hurt by China\u2019s \u2018unrelated trade dispute\u2019\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Furthermore, the report urged for the full removal of anti-dumping measures on brandy in China.<\/p>\n The measures have been linked to a drop in Chinese imports of EU spirits, which have plunged by more than 50% in value over the last two years.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis reflects weaker consumer spending, reduced demand for ultra-premium spirits, and the impact of anti-dumping measures on EU brandies imposed in the context of an unrelated trade dispute,\u201d the report said. \u201cAgainst an already difficult economic backdrop, these measures have had a particularly severe impact on EU spirits exporters, farmers and winegrowers.\u201d<\/p>\n Rapha\u00ebl Delpech, general director of the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC), noted that the industry continues to suffer from the \u201cunjustified consequences of a trade dispute and broader issues that are entirely unrelated\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cThe impacts are being felt deeply in the heart of our rural communities, affecting both Cognac houses and winegrowers,\u201d Delpech continued.<\/p>\n \u201cUntil normal market access conditions are restored, we support the creation of a \u2018solidarity mechanism\u2019 that would provide support for sectors affected by retaliatory trade measures, including ours.\u201d<\/p>\n BNIC data showed global exports of Cognac<\/a> plunged in volume and value by double digits last year. Cognac exports to the Far East region fell by 20.5%.<\/p>\n By category, whisky was the most exported EU spirit (21% share), followed by grape-based spirits (19% share), liqueurs and cordials (19% share), and vodka (13%).<\/p>\n SpiritsEurope also highlighted that there are 250 registered geographical indications (GIs) for spirits in the EU, reflective of \u201crich traditions and cultural diversity\u201d.<\/p>\n Furthermore, spirits tourism attracts more than six million visitors to Europe annually, the report said.<\/p>\n Related news<\/strong><\/p>\n \n \n
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