While the world might not be running out of spirits, it is certainly pouring them out at an astonishing rate, as evidenced by a record-breaking 425 million wine gallons of distilled spirits produced in the U.S. alone last year amidst a global landscape of surging tequila, booming bourbon, and a flourishing craft revolution.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, U.S. distilled spirits production totaled 425 million wine gallons, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021
- Global scotch whisky production reached 1.35 billion liters in 2022, down 2% from the previous year due to inventory adjustments
- India's distilled spirits production hit 650 million liters in FY2022, with 70% being extra neutral alcohol for domestic use
- The global distilled spirits market size was valued at $592.5 billion in 2023, projected to reach $761.3 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 3.6%
- U.S. spirits supplier sales hit $33.4 billion in 2022, up 11% from 2021
- Premium spirits segment grew 8% globally to $250 billion in 2022
- U.S. spirits retail sales volume 295 million cases in 2022, up 5%
- Global scotch whisky sales 1.66 billion bottles in 2022, U.S. 25% share
- U.S. tequila sales reached 47 million cases in 2022, +12% YoY
- U.S. distilled spirits industry supported 2.2 million jobs in 2022, including 72,000 direct distillery roles
- Scotch whisky industry employed 40,000 directly in Scotland in 2022, supporting 70,000 total jobs
- U.S. distillery sector generated $72 billion in economic output in 2022
- 65% of U.S. distilleries adopted sustainable water practices by 2023, reducing usage 20%
- Scotch whisky industry recycled 91% of glass bottles, 2.3 billion units in 2022
- Global spirits carbon footprint targeted 25% reduction by 2030, 15% achieved 2022
The global spirits industry is growing significantly, driven by production increases and premiumization trends.
Employment and Economic Impact
- U.S. distilled spirits industry supported 2.2 million jobs in 2022, including 72,000 direct distillery roles
- Scotch whisky industry employed 40,000 directly in Scotland in 2022, supporting 70,000 total jobs
- U.S. distillery sector generated $72 billion in economic output in 2022
- Indian spirits industry employs 10 million people across value chain in 2022
- Global spirits industry contributed $600 billion to GDP in 2022 estimates
- Kentucky bourbon distilleries employed 22,500 people in 2022, $3.6 billion wages
- EU spirits sector sustained 1.2 million jobs in 2022, €18 billion wages
- U.S. tequila importers and distributors added 15,000 jobs in 2022 growth
- World whisky industry tourism generated 500,000 jobs in 2022
- Mexican agave spirits cluster employs 75,000 in Jalisco state 2022
- U.S. craft distilleries operate with average 12 employees per site in 2022, total 26,000 jobs
- French cognac region employs 18,000 directly, 115,000 indirect in 2022
- Global gin production supports 50,000 jobs in 2023, UK 20,000
- Brazilian cachaça sector employs 500,000 across 5,000 distilleries in 2022
- Ireland whiskey distilleries grew to 31 sites employing 1,700 in 2022
- Canadian spirits industry 15,000 direct jobs, $2.5 billion GDP in 2022
- U.S. rum industry economic impact $10 billion annually, 50,000 jobs 2022
- China baijiu sector employs 2.5 million, contributes 1% national GDP 2022
- Global RTD spirits created 100,000 new jobs since 2019 to 2022
- U.S. distilled spirits taxes generated $10.5 billion federal revenue in 2022
- Scotch whisky paid £2.5 billion in UK taxes in 2022
- Japanese whisky distilleries employ 5,000, tourism adds 20,000 jobs 2022
- South African brandy industry supports 30,000 jobs, R4 billion exports 2022
- U.S. low/no alcohol spirits segment employs 8,000 in new facilities 2022
- Global spirits industry recycling employs 200,000 in packaging sector 2022
- U.S. distillery industry average wage $65,000 annually in 2022
- World spirits distilleries number 15,000 active in 2023, up 10% decade
- U.S. spirits generated $45 billion state/local taxes in 2022
Employment and Economic Impact Interpretation
One might suggest raising a glass to the global spirits industry, for it appears the world’s economic engine runs quite smoothly on a healthy pour of job creation, substantial tax revenue, and a remarkably sobering amount of responsibility.
Market Size and Growth
- The global distilled spirits market size was valued at $592.5 billion in 2023, projected to reach $761.3 billion by 2030 at a CAGR of 3.6%
- U.S. spirits supplier sales hit $33.4 billion in 2022, up 11% from 2021
- Premium spirits segment grew 8% globally to $250 billion in 2022
- Scotch whisky market value reached £5.2 billion in UK retail sales in 2022
- Indian spirits market valued at $37 billion in 2022, expected to grow to $64 billion by 2027
- Global vodka market size was $52.3 billion in 2022, CAGR 4.2% to 2030
- U.S. tequila market reached $6.5 billion in 2022 sales, up 17%
- European spirits market volume 12 billion liters in 2022, value €90 billion
- Global rum market valued at $14.8 billion in 2023, projected CAGR 5.1% to 2030
- Craft spirits market in U.S. valued at $5.2 billion in 2022, 15% growth
- World whisky market size $84.1 billion in 2022, to $128.3 billion by 2030, CAGR 5.5%
- Mexican agave spirits exports generated $3.2 billion in 2022
- U.S. ready-to-drink (RTD) spirits market exploded to $1.6 billion in 2022, up 30%
- Global gin market reached $12.5 billion in 2022, Europe 55% share
- Brazilian cachaça market value $2.1 billion domestically in 2022
- Premium cognac market globally valued at €4.5 billion in 2022 exports
- U.S. total beverage alcohol market share for spirits at 41% by volume in 2022
- Asian spirits market (excl. baijiu) grew to $25 billion in 2022, CAGR 6%
- Irish whiskey global market value $2.8 billion in 2022, up 12%
- Global low/no alcohol spirits market $500 million in 2022, projected 28% CAGR
- Canadian spirits market revenue $4.2 billion CAD in 2022
- World RTD cocktails market $2.8 billion in 2022, U.S. leading at 50%
- U.S. super-premium spirits sales up 14% to $11 billion in 2022
- Global baijiu market dominated China at 450 billion RMB ($65 billion) in 2022
- Scotch whisky exports £6.2 billion in 2022, 126 countries
- U.S. distilled spirits industry revenue $28.5 billion in 2023
- Global agave spirits market $10.2 billion in 2022, CAGR 7.8%
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
It appears the world's collective resolution to drink less is being thoroughly drowned out by a rising tide of premium spirits, explosive growth in emerging markets, and our unquenchable thirst for a good cocktail in a can.
Production and Capacity
- In 2022, U.S. distilled spirits production totaled 425 million wine gallons, marking a 4.2% increase from 2021
- Global scotch whisky production reached 1.35 billion liters in 2022, down 2% from the previous year due to inventory adjustments
- India's distilled spirits production hit 650 million liters in FY2022, with 70% being extra neutral alcohol for domestic use
- Bourbon whiskey production in the U.S. surged to 14.2 million barrels in 2022, a record high representing 25% growth since 2018
- European Union rum production volume was 1.1 billion liters in 2021, led by France at 450 million liters
- Mexican tequila distilleries produced 583 million liters of 100% agave tequila in 2022, up 12% YoY
- U.S. craft distillery production grew 15% to 5.2 million cases in 2022, comprising 3% of total U.S. spirits output
- World vodka production totaled 5.8 billion liters in 2021, with Russia and Poland accounting for 45%
- Brazilian cachaça distilleries produced 1.2 billion liters annually as of 2022, 80% from sugar cane
- U.S. gin production increased by 22% to 2.1 million cases in 2022, driven by craft segment
- South African brandy production was 85 million liters in 2022, down 3% due to export declines
- Japanese whisky distilleries produced 8.5 million cases in 2022, with aging stocks at 1.2 billion liters
- U.S. rum production reached 45 million proof gallons in 2022, up 8% from 2021
- French cognac production volume was 460,000 hectoliters in 2022, a 5% decrease YoY
- Global gin production hit 800 million liters in 2022, Europe dominating with 60% share
- U.S. total distilled spirits capacity exceeded 500 million gallons in 2023 projections
- Peruvian pisco production totaled 12 million liters in 2022, up 10% driven by exports
- Canadian whisky production was 25 million liters in 2022, stable with 2% growth
- Irish whiskey production reached 42 million liters in 2022, doubling since 2010
- U.S. vodka production led at 95 million proof gallons in 2022, 22% of total spirits
- World gin distilleries number 1,200 active sites in 2023, up 20% in five years
- Australian spirits production grew 12% to 15 million liters in 2022
- Spanish brandy production was 350 million liters in 2022, 90% aguardiente
- U.S. new distilleries opened 200 in 2022, totaling 2,200 craft operations
- Global rum production volume 2.4 billion liters in 2022, Caribbean 40%
- Scotch single malt production 1.1 billion liters in 2022
- U.S. whiskey category production up 7% to 280 million gallons in 2022
- China baijiu distilleries produced 12 billion liters in 2022
- World total distilled spirits production estimated at 25 billion liters in 2022
- U.S. tequila production imports converted to 50 million cases equivalent in 2022
Production and Capacity Interpretation
While global production numbers ebb and flow, the spirits industry is experiencing a potent boom driven by America's thirst for craft innovation and brown liquors, Asia's massive traditional markets, and the world's enduring love for a good agave or grain story.
Sales and Distribution
- U.S. spirits retail sales volume 295 million cases in 2022, up 5%
- Global scotch whisky sales 1.66 billion bottles in 2022, U.S. 25% share
- U.S. tequila sales reached 47 million cases in 2022, +12% YoY
- World vodka consumption 4.8 billion liters in 2022, Russia 20%
- Indian IMFL sales volume 380 million cases in FY2022, whisky 60%
- U.S. bourbon sales 25 million cases in 2022, up 9%
- EU spirits sales value €25 billion in 2022, off-trade 70%
- Global rum sales 2.1 billion liters in 2022, U.S. 30% volume
- U.S. gin depletions 12.5 million cases in 2022, +18% growth
- Mexican tequila exports 428 million liters in 2022 to 120 countries
- Global RTD sales 3.5 billion units in 2022, spirits-based 65%
- U.S. rum category sales 42 million cases in 2022, stable 1% growth
- French cognac exports 220 million bottles in 2022, U.S. 50%
- World gin sales value $18 billion in 2022, premium 40%
- Brazilian cachaça domestic sales 750 million liters in 2022
- U.S. whiskey sales total 105 million cases in 2022, 36% market share
- Global low-alc spirits sales up 45% to 15 million cases in 2022
- Irish whiskey sales 11.5 million cases globally in 2022, +15%
- Canadian whisky U.S. imports 4.2 million cases in 2022
- U.S. vodka sales 85 million cases in 2022, down 2%
- Scotch single malt U.S. sales 8.2 million cases in 2022, up 10%
- Global baijiu sales 1.2 billion liters in 2022, domestic 95%
- U.S. on-premise spirits sales recovered to 25% of total in 2022 post-COVID
- Japanese whisky global sales 45 million bottles in 2022, exports 30%
- EU rum sales 1.2 billion liters in 2022, Germany top consumer
- U.S. craft spirits sales 4.8 million cases in 2022, 1.6% share
- Global premium rum sales value $5.6 billion in 2022, +9%
- South Africa spirits sales 250 million liters in 2022, brandy 45%
Sales and Distribution Interpretation
While the world is clearly still drinking with impressive dedication, the real story is a global bar fight where bourbon, tequila, and gin are elbowing for space, premium sips are winning, and vodka is nervously checking its rearview mirror.
Sustainability and Trends
- 65% of U.S. distilleries adopted sustainable water practices by 2023, reducing usage 20%
- Scotch whisky industry recycled 91% of glass bottles, 2.3 billion units in 2022
- Global spirits carbon footprint targeted 25% reduction by 2030, 15% achieved 2022
- U.S. craft distilleries 40% use local grains, cutting transport emissions 30% in 2022
- EU spirits producers cut water use to 4 liters per liter spirit, down 10% since 2018
- Tequila distilleries bagasse reuse 95% for energy, zero waste 2022
- Global gin brands 70% organic botanicals by 2023, up from 20% 2015
- Bourbon distilleries recycle 85% wastewater, Kentucky average 2022
- World rum producers 50% certified sustainable cane sourcing 2022
- Cognac vineyards 30% organic conversion by 2022, biodiversity up 15%
- U.S. low/no ABV spirits 80% growth, 25 million cases projected 2025
- Irish whiskey distilleries 100% renewable energy target by 2030, 50% 2022
- Global RTD spirits 60% use recycled PET, reducing plastic 40% 2022
- Baijiu distilleries China 20% solar powered, emissions down 12% 2022
- Premiumization trend: 45% sales growth in super-premium 2018-2022
- U.S. direct-to-consumer spirits sales up 25% to $2 billion in 2022
- Scotch maturation losses (angels' share) 2% annually, sustainable storage innovations 2023
- Global non-alcoholic spirits market CAGR 28% to 2028 from $400m 2022
- Cachaça producers 65% rainforest alliance certified cane 2022
- U.S. distilleries NFT/ digital collectibles sales $50 million in 2022 trend
- Japanese whisky rare bottlings averaged $10,000 auction price 2022
- EU regulations TPD alcohol labeling compliance 95% spirits 2023
- Global e-commerce spirits sales 15% of total, up 200% since 2019
- Bourbon barrel reuse 90% for other spirits/aging, zero waste 2022
- Vodka brands 55% gluten-free certified, allergen trends 2023
- World distillery tourism 50 million visitors pre-COVID, 80% recovery 2022
- U.S. flavored spirits 30% market share, growth slowing to 2% 2022
Sustainability and Trends Interpretation
The spirits industry is sobering up to its environmental responsibilities, as distilleries worldwide are now enthusiastically recycling, reducing, and renewing resources, proving that true craftsmanship now measures its impact by the drop of water saved and the ton of carbon cut as much as by the quality in the bottle.
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