The Clare Champion Clare news, sport, entertainment and local notes
THE Irish Whiskey Association (IW), launched last week by Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Simon Coveney, has revealed that the sector is set to invest over €1 billion in Ireland in the next 10 years.
Clare-based Burren Irish Whiskey, who are building a distillery, are members of the newly formed association and were represented at the launch.
With over 15 new distilleries currently being developed across the country, the new association brings together new entrants and existing companies to promote Irish whiskey and to ensure the product is given vital protection going forward.
Irish whiskey exports have grown by 220% since 2003 and are now valued at €350m. In 2003, Irish whiskey made up just over 9% of beverages exports, which has grown to over 28% of total beverages exports from Ireland. According to the association export numbers are to double to 12 million cases by 2020 and double again to 24 million cases by 2030.
Irish whiskey employs 5,000 directly and indirectly and this is set to grow to 6,500 by 2025. Turnover for the industry is almost €400m and visitor centres attract over 500,000 tourists every year.
