The European Union’s alcoholic beverage industry continued its strong global performance in 2024, reaching an impressive EUR 29.8 billion in exports to countries outside the EU.
This represents a 10.9% growth compared to 2019, when total extra-EU exports stood at EUR 26.9 billion.
This growth underscores the resilience and international appeal of European alcoholic beverages, especially in high-demand markets like the United States, the United Kingdom, and China.
Wine Leads the Way
Wine of fresh grapes, including fortified varieties, dominated the export portfolio in 2024, accounting for 56.2% of all EU alcoholic beverage exports. In total, wine exports reached EUR 16.8 billion, affirming the EU’s status as the world’s leading wine producer and exporter.
Spirits and liqueurs ranked second, comprising 29.7% of total exports (EUR 8.9 billion), followed by beer, which represented 11.5% (EUR 3.4 billion). Other fermented beverages—such as cider, perry, mead, and saké—contributed 1.7% (EUR 0.5 billion), while vermouth and flavoured wines accounted for the remaining 1.0% (EUR 0.3 billion).
France Remains the Export Powerhouse
France held its position as the EU’s top exporter of alcoholic beverages to non-EU countries, shipping out EUR 12.1 billion worth of products in 2024. That figure alone makes up 41% of the EU’s total extra-bloc alcohol exports. French wine continues to be the standout product, responsible for 66.7% (EUR 8.1 billion) of France’s alcohol exports. Spirits and liqueurs added a further 31.8% (EUR 3.8 billion).
Italy and Spain Cement Wine Dominance
Italy secured second place with EUR 6.0 billion in exports, 81.1% of which was wine, totaling EUR 4.9 billion. Spain followed with EUR 2.5 billion in exports, also heavily skewed towards wine, which made up EUR 1.6 billion of that value.
The Netherlands: A Beer-Focused Exporter
The Netherlands took fourth place with EUR 2.3 billion in alcohol exports, but unlike the Southern European countries, its main category was beer, which made up EUR 1.3 billion of its exports. This reinforces the Netherlands’ reputation as a key player in the global beer trade.
Key Global Destinations: The US and UK Lead Demand
The United States was the largest importer of EU alcoholic beverages in 2024, with total imports reaching EUR 8.9 billion. Wine alone accounted for more than EUR 4.9 billion, while spirits and liqueurs added another EUR 2.9 billion, highlighting a balanced preference across categories.
The United Kingdom, despite its departure from the EU, remained a major partner, importing EUR 4.9 billion worth of EU alcohol, 68% of which was wine (EUR 3.3 billion).
Other significant destinations included China and Canada (each importing EUR 1.6 billion) and Switzerland (EUR 1.4 billion). Interestingly, China’s imports were dominated by spirits and liqueurs (EUR 0.7 billion, or 45%), followed by wine (EUR 0.5 billion, or 34%).
Source: Eurostat