Ireland’s 50 whiskey distilleries, nine established Irish cream liqueur facilities, 45 gin producers, and several poitín and other spirits producers help contribute an estimated €4.1 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the all-island economy and supports over 14,000 jobs, according to a new independent report.
The Economic impact of the Irish Drinks Sector, prepared by Indecon International Economic and Strategic Consultants, commissioned by Drinks Ireland, revealed that these producers, alongside breweries, are located in every county across the island of Ireland.
This highlights the sector’s strong contribution to regional economic activity and development. The sector is deeply rooted in local communities and firmly committed to them, serving as a community anchor.
The sector supports around 14,000 jobs, comprising approximately 6,000 direct jobs, including visitor experience employment, plus 8,000 linked jobs across supply, services, and distribution.
Drinks manufacturing directly employs 4,726 people across the island (4,222 in the ROI), with a further 8,076 linked jobs and almost 1,300 people employed in visitor and experience centres.
The sector also supports an estimated 26,000–37,000 downstream jobs in hospitality and retail. The vast majority of producers and associated employment are located outside Dublin, reinforcing the sector’s role as a critical driver of rural and regional economic activity.
The report also highlights the strong productivity of the sector. Output per worker stands at €809,325, 22% higher than the equivalent figure for food manufacturing (€662,215).
Gross Value Added per employee is estimated at €452,800, substantially above the €136,200 recorded for food manufacturing. These measures of output and GVA per employee characterise a sector of high productivity and quality jobs.
Exports remain a defining strength of the Irish drinks sector, with annual all-island exports valued at €2.7 billion. Export value increased by 91% and export volume by 52% over the last decade (2015–2025).
Irish whiskey and Irish cream liqueur have become export powerhouses for Ireland internationally, with 95% of Irish whiskey production and a similar share of Irish cream liqueur exported.
The sector’s contribution extends well beyond the factory gate, with strong grain-to-glass links to Irish agriculture and domestic supply chains. With 64% of purchases sourced domestically, drinks producers purchase over €815 million in Irish inputs each year, supporting 5,800 specialist tillage producers, 17,500 dairy farms, Irish apple growers and many supply, service and distribution businesses.
In 2025, this included almost 273,000 tonnes of Irish barley, almost 354 million litres of Irish milk and significant volumes of apples. As the sector has grown, domestic input purchasing has increased by more than 40% over the past 15 years.
Claire Tolan, chair of Drinks Ireland, said: “This report puts a clear figure on what the Irish drinks sector contributes to our economy, and the significant story behind it.
“From family-run craft producers and world-renowned beer, whiskey, and cream liqueur brands, to the farmers, hospitality businesses, retailers, and tourism operators, this is a sector with deep roots right across the island and an extraordinary global reach.
“Our sector combines productivity, exports, agriculture, tourism and culture in a way few other industries can match. Irish drinks are recognised and enjoyed around the world, and, for many international visitors, they are an important part of their experience of Ireland.
“This report demonstrates the scale of that contribution and the huge ambition, innovation, and resilience of the businesses behind it.
“We should be proud of the role our drinks sector plays in supporting jobs and communities, driving exports and underpinning food and drinks tourism.”
