American spirits exports dropped 3.8% in 2025 to $2.37 billion, driven primarily by Canada’s retaliatory removal of US-made spirits from provincial store shelves and a sharp decline in American whiskey shipments to the European Union. The figures were published today by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) in its 2025 American Spirits Exports Report.
Exports to Canada fell more than 70% year-over-year from the start of the retaliatory ban in March through December. Only Alberta and Saskatchewan have since lifted their bans.
Excluding Canada, US spirits exports actually increased 2.5% in 2025, signaling resilience in global demand outside that market.
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READ THE STORY"The decline of U.S. spirits exports in 2025 underscores the industry’s vulnerability to uncertainty in the global trade environment and the vital importance of restoring the permanent return to zero-for-zero tariffs on spirits products," said DISCUS president and CEO Chris Swonger. "When American spirits compete on a level playing field, exports grow, jobs are created and local economies thrive."
American whiskey remained the most exported category by far at $1.08 billion, despite a 19% decline. It was followed by liqueurs and cordials ($511 million), vodka ($282 million), rum ($90 million), gin ($48 million) and brandy ($35 million).
Much of the whiskey decline stemmed from a 35% drop in EU-bound exports. DISCUS attributed this to front-loading by producers who accelerated shipments in late 2024 ahead of potential tariff reimposition. The EU’s proposed 30% tariff on American spirits remains suspended through August 2026.
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Growth in markets outside Canada and the EU helped offset losses. Exports to the rest of the world rose 13.2%, led by gains in Brazil, the United Kingdom, Australia and emerging markets.
The top five markets for US spirits in 2025 were the EU ($1.2 billion), the UK ($153 million), Australia ($138 million), Mexico ($127 million) and Canada ($89 million). These markets account for 72% of total US spirits exports.
"Exports remain a critical path forward, especially amid a slowdown in domestic sales and high inventory levels," Swonger added. "Stable, tariff-free trade and expanding market access abroad are essential to ensuring continued growth for the U.S. spirits sector."
Despite the 2025 decline, the broader trajectory remains strong. Over 25 years, US spirits exports have grown fivefold from $478 million in 2000. Spirits were exported from 43 states in 2025, with Kentucky ($799 million) and Tennessee ($793 million) leading.
Looking ahead, DISCUS identified key priorities including restoring tariff-free trade with the EU and UK, pursuing new agreements with Argentina, Malaysia, Indonesia and Ecuador, and securing market access in high-tariff countries such as India, Brazil and Vietnam.
