UK – The total value of UK gin exports increased by £189.4 million to £730.9 million (US$776.59m), up by more than one-third on 2021 figures, according to HMRC (Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs) data cited by trade body The Gin Guild has revealed.

HM Revenue and Customs is a non-ministerial department of the UK Government responsible for the collection of taxes, the payment of some forms of state support, the administration of other regulatory regimes including the national minimum wage, and the issuance of national insurance numbers.

The Gin Guild was set up to work with gin distillers and those in the gin industry from the UK and around the world to provide leadership and focus to the promotion of this exciting spirit category, the organization’s website notes.

In the new data, exports also exceeded pre-pandemic numbers from 2019 to 9%, an encouraging sign, especially as inflation and energy costs continue to plague the industry.

Pal Gleed, director general of The Gin Guild, said of the results: “Despite the ongoing challenges of spiraling energy costs, price inflation, rising interest rates, and the war in Ukraine, which all affect trading conditions, gin distillers have shown their resilience and their ability to innovate over the past three years.”

“The growth in exports reflects the quality, variety, and reputation of British gin…. These latest figures show the potential for gin sales to continue to grow around the world as the spirit gains market share from other drinks which have traditionally dominated in some countries.”

The USA remains the UK’s largest export market for gin, with 2022 exports totaling more than £218 million, a 6% growth on the pre-pandemic (2019) figure.

South American markets, particularly Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, have seen massive growth, while exports to the EU have fallen sharply by 4% since 2019.

According to The Gin Guild, Spain remains a key market for British-made gin, though exports to the country have fallen by a third to £62.4 million since 2019 as the impact of Brexit continues to be felt. Irish exports have also seen a drop, but Italy bucks the trend with significant growth.

Growth was also witnessed in Asian markets where the exports to Japan had a jump of £2.3 million, India by £4.5 million, to the United Arab Emirates by £4.9 million, Turkey by £3 million, and South Korea by £1.4 million since 2019.

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