While some industries are slowing down, Australia's spirits sector is bursting at the seams, with craft production soaring by 25%, a 450% boom in local gin, and over 520 distilleries now dotting the landscape from coast to coast.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, Australian gin production reached 2.8 million litres, marking a 15% increase from 2021.
- Whisky production in Australia totalled 1.2 million litres in 2023, up 12% year-on-year.
- Rum distilleries produced 4.5 million litres of rum in 2021 across Queensland facilities.
- The Australian spirits market was valued at AUD 4.2 billion in 2023.
- Gin sales revenue reached AUD 850 million in 2022.
- Total domestic spirits sales volume was 120 million litres in 2023.
- Australians consumed 4.8 litres of pure alcohol from spirits per capita in 2022.
- Gin consumption volume rose 20% to 12 million litres in 2023.
- 35% of Australians aged 18-34 consumed spirits weekly in 2022.
- Australian spirits exports totalled 5.2 million litres in 2023.
- Spirits export value reached AUD 180 million in 2022.
- USA was the top export market with 1.8 million litres in 2023.
- The spirits industry employed 8,500 people directly in 2023.
- Number of distilleries reached 520 across Australia in 2022.
- Women comprised 32% of the spirits workforce in 2023.
Australian spirits production and sales are booming, with significant growth in gin and whisky.
Consumption Patterns
1Australians consumed 4.8 litres of pure alcohol from spirits per capita in 2022.
Verified2Gin consumption volume rose 20% to 12 million litres in 2023.
Verified335% of Australians aged 18-34 consumed spirits weekly in 2022.
Verified4RTDs accounted for 45% of total spirits consumption volume in 2023.
Directional5Premium spirits consumption grew 28% among millennials in 2022.
Single source6Average annual spirits consumption per adult was 8.2 litres in 2023.
Verified7Women represented 42% of gin consumers in 2022.
Verified8Whisky drinking occasions increased 15% to 250 million in 2023.
Verified9Home consumption of spirits rose to 68% of total in 2022 post-COVID.
Directional10Low/no alcohol spirits consumption hit 1.2 million litres in 2023.
Single source11Urban consumers drank 55% more spirits than rural in 2022.
Verified12Cocktail culture drove 30% of spirits volume in bars in 2023.
Verified13Vodka remained the top consumed spirit at 35 million litres in 2022.
Verified14Gen Z spirits trial rate was 62% in 2023.
Directional15Seasonal peak consumption in December was 25% above average in 2022.
Single source16Flavoured spirits consumption share was 22% in 2023.
Verified1748% of consumers preferred Australian-made spirits in 2022 surveys.
Verified18Per occasion pour size averaged 40ml for whisky in 2023.
Verified19Rum consumption in QLD was 2x national average in 2022.
Directional20Non-premium spirits still held 60% consumption volume in 2023.
Single source21Social media influenced 55% of young adult spirits choices in 2022.
Verified22Average drinking frequency for spirits was 2.1 times/week in 2023.
Verified23Craft spirits consumer base grew to 15 million adults in 2022.
Verified24Liqueur consumption peaked at night-time occasions 70% in 2023.
Directional25Health-conscious consumers reduced spirits intake by 10% in 2022.
Single source26Festival and event spirits consumption was 8 million litres in 2023.
Verified27Brandy loyalists consumed 1.5 litres/person annually in 2022.
VerifiedConsumption Patterns Interpretation
It seems Australians are increasingly sophisticated drinkers, preferring their gin premium and their whisky neat at home, yet the national spirit remains a reliable vodka soda poured generously from a December bottle.
Industry Demographics
1The spirits industry employed 8,500 people directly in 2023.
Verified2Number of distilleries reached 520 across Australia in 2022.
Verified3Women comprised 32% of the spirits workforce in 2023.
Verified4Average salary in distilleries was AUD 85,000 in 2022.
Directional51,200 new jobs created in craft distilling since 2020 by 2023.
Single source6Tasmania hosted 120 distilleries, 23% of national total in 2022.
Verified7Industry contributed AUD 1.2 billion to GDP in 2023.
Verified865% of distillery owners had agriculture backgrounds in 2022.
Verified9Apprenticeships in distilling numbered 450 in 2023.
Directional10Victoria had 150 spirits businesses employing 2,200 in 2022.
Single source11Indigenous-owned distilleries: 12 in operation by 2023.
Verified12R&D staff in spirits firms: 950 full-time equivalents in 2022.
Verified13Turnover per employee averaged AUD 495,000 in 2023.
Verified14NSW spirits sector employed 2,800 with 180 distilleries in 2022.
Directional15Youth employment (under 25) was 18% of total workforce in 2023.
Single source16Family-owned distilleries: 75% of total in 2022 survey.
Verified17Export-related jobs: 1,500 positions in 2023.
Verified18Sustainability officers in firms: increased to 220 in 2022.
Verified19QLD rum industry employed 1,100 people in 2023.
Directional20Average distillery size: 12 full-time staff in 2022.
Single source21Veteran-owned spirits businesses: 25 registered in 2023.
Verified22Training investments totalled AUD 15 million industry-wide in 2022.
Verified23Regional employment share: 55% of total spirits jobs in 2023.
Verified24Diversity training completed by 70% of workforce in 2022.
Directional25SA distilleries employed 900 across 65 sites in 2023.
Single source26Part-time workers: 25% of industry employment in 2022.
Verified27Certifications held by staff: 85% WSET or equivalent in 2023.
Verified28WA spirits sector growth added 400 jobs since 2021 by 2022.
VerifiedIndustry Demographics Interpretation
The Australian spirits industry is not just bottling gin; it's fermenting a potent economic engine, supporting over 8,500 livelihoods, infusing regional communities with 55% of its jobs, and proving its craft is so sophisticated that even 950 people are employed full-time just to think about it.
Production Statistics
1In 2022, Australian gin production reached 2.8 million litres, marking a 15% increase from 2021.
Verified2Whisky production in Australia totalled 1.2 million litres in 2023, up 12% year-on-year.
Verified3Rum distilleries produced 4.5 million litres of rum in 2021 across Queensland facilities.
Verified4Vodka output from Australian distilleries hit 3.1 million litres in 2022.
Directional5Craft spirits production grew by 25% to 1.8 million litres in 2023.
Single source6Number of operational distilleries in Australia increased to 450 in 2023 from 380 in 2021.
Verified7Tasmania produced 650,000 litres of premium whisky in 2022.
Verified8Brandy production declined to 800,000 litres in 2022 due to market shifts.
Verified9Liqueur manufacturing output was 1.1 million litres in 2023.
Directional10New South Wales distilleries accounted for 28% of national spirits production in 2022.
Single source11Victoria's gin distilleries produced 1.2 million litres in 2023.
Verified12Average annual production per distillery was 33,000 litres in 2022.
Verified13Organic spirits production reached 250,000 litres in 2023.
Verified14Single malt whisky output grew 18% to 450,000 litres in 2022.
Directional15Premixed spirits (RTDs) production surged to 45 million litres in 2023.
Single source16South Australia's distilleries produced 900,000 litres of spirits in 2022.
Verified17Western Australia saw a 22% rise in local spirit production to 400,000 litres in 2023.
Verified18Barrel-aged spirits production totalled 2.1 million litres in 2022.
Verified19Australian-made absinthe production was 50,000 litres in 2023.
Directional20Tequila-style agave spirits output hit 120,000 litres in 2022.
Single source21Biodynamic spirits production increased to 80,000 litres in 2023.
Verified22Micro-distilleries (under 100,000 L/year) numbered 320 in 2022.
Verified23High-proof neutral spirit production was 5.2 million litres in 2023.
Verified24Flavoured vodka production reached 1.5 million litres in 2022.
Directional25Heritage brandy distilleries produced 300,000 litres in 2023.
Single source26Experimental botanical gins totalled 750,000 litres in 2022.
Verified27Carbon-neutral spirits production was 600,000 litres in 2023.
Verified28Queensland craft rum output grew to 1.8 million litres in 2022.
Verified29Total pot still usage produced 900,000 litres in 2023.
Directional30Column still spirits production dominated at 60 million litres in 2022.
Single sourceProduction Statistics Interpretation
The Aussie spirit is booming and diversifying, with craft and premium offerings thriving, though the real workhorse of the industry remains the mighty column still, which ensures the nation’s vast thirst for pre-mixed drinks is never in drought.
Sales and Revenue
1The Australian spirits market was valued at AUD 4.2 billion in 2023.
Verified2Gin sales revenue reached AUD 850 million in 2022.
Verified3Total domestic spirits sales volume was 120 million litres in 2023.
Verified4Whisky segment generated AUD 650 million in revenue in 2023.
Directional5RTD premixed spirits sales hit AUD 2.1 billion in 2022.
Single source6Vodka sales revenue totalled AUD 1.1 billion in 2023.
Verified7Online spirits sales grew 35% to AUD 450 million in 2022.
Verified8Premium spirits (over AUD 50/bottle) sales were AUD 1.8 billion in 2023.
Verified9Rum sales revenue increased to AUD 720 million in 2022.
Directional10Total retail sales through bottle shops were AUD 3.5 billion in 2023.
Single source11Bar and hospitality sector spirits revenue was AUD 950 million in 2022.
Verified12Craft spirits sales reached AUD 380 million in 2023.
Verified13Liqueur and specialty sales generated AUD 420 million in 2022.
Verified14Average bottle price for Australian spirits was AUD 65 in 2023.
Directional15Export sales revenue for spirits was AUD 250 million in 2022.
Single source16Domestic wholesale revenue totalled AUD 2.8 billion in 2023.
Verified17Gin category led sales growth at 18% to AUD 920 million in 2023.
Verified18RTD sales volume was 55 million litres worth AUD 2.3 billion in 2022.
Verified19Brandy sales declined to AUD 150 million in 2023.
Directional20Supermarket chain spirits sales were AUD 1.4 billion in 2022.
Single source21Independent retailers captured 22% of spirits sales revenue at AUD 900 million in 2023.
Verified22Premium gin sales revenue hit AUD 550 million in 2022.
Verified23Whisky retail sales grew 14% to AUD 720 million in 2023.
Verified24Total industry profit margin averaged 12.5% on AUD 4.5 billion sales in 2022.
Directional25Vodka RTDs generated AUD 1.2 billion in 2023.
Single source26Duty-paid spirits sales value was AUD 3.9 billion in 2022.
Verified27Per capita spirits expenditure was AUD 145 in 2023.
Verified28Market share of Australian-made spirits in domestic sales was 18% valued at AUD 760 million in 2022.
Verified29Annual growth in spirits revenue was 8.2% from 2021 to 2023.
DirectionalSales and Revenue Interpretation
While Australia's $4.2 billion spirits market is clearly taking its gin renaissance and premium indulgences very seriously, the staggering $2.3 billion RTD sector suggests we're equally committed to the art of convenient, pre-mixed frivolity.
Trade
1Australian spirits exports totalled 5.2 million litres in 2023.
Verified2Spirits export value reached AUD 180 million in 2022.
Verified3USA was the top export market with 1.8 million litres in 2023.
Verified4Gin exports grew 32% to 2.1 million litres in 2022.
Directional5Whisky exports to UK hit 650,000 litres in 2023.
Single source6Imports of spirits were 85 million litres valued at AUD 1.9 billion in 2022.
Verified7China imported AUD 45 million worth of Australian spirits in 2023.
Verified8EU markets took 28% of total spirits exports in 2022.
Verified9Rum exports reached 900,000 litres primarily to Asia in 2023.
Directional10Import duty on foreign spirits generated AUD 2.5 billion in revenue in 2022.
Single source11Singapore was the 3rd largest export destination with 450,000 litres in 2023.
Verified12Premium spirits exports value grew 25% to AUD 120 million in 2022.
Verified13Canada imported 320,000 litres of Australian whisky in 2023.
Verified14Total trade surplus/deficit in spirits was -AUD 1.7 billion in 2022.
Directional15Japan spirits imports from Australia doubled to 280,000 litres in 2023.
Single source16Vodka exports were minimal at 150,000 litres in 2022.
Verified17FTA benefits boosted exports to Korea by 40% in 2023.
Verified18Middle East markets imported 200,000 litres of premium gin in 2022.
Verified19Import growth rate for spirits was 5% YoY to 89 million litres in 2023.
Directional20NZ took 15% of Australian spirits exports at 780,000 litres in 2022.
Single source21Scotch whisky imports dominated at 25 million litres in 2023.
Verified22Export certifications issued numbered 12,500 for spirits in 2022.
Verified23Taiwan market grew to AUD 30 million in spirits imports in 2023.
Verified24RTD exports hit 1.5 million litres to Pacific islands in 2022.
Directional25US tariffs impacted exports by reducing volume 8% in 2023.
Single source26Hong Kong duty-free sales of Aus spirits were AUD 22 million in 2022.
Verified27Brandy exports remained steady at 100,000 litres in 2023.
Verified28Digital trade platforms facilitated 10% of spirits exports in 2022.
VerifiedTrade Interpretation
While Australia’s distillers are winning over the world one sophisticated sip at a time, the nation's glass remains half empty, drowning in a staggering flood of imported spirits that turns a spirited export success into a sobering trade deficit.
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