IFA Meet Irish Whiskey Association for Market Outlook

Commenting after a discussion with representatives from Drinks Ireland and the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA), IFA Grain Vice-Chair John Murphy said it was a constructive and informative meeting.

At the meeting, the market outlook for the whiskey sector was outlined. The situation remains exceptionally challenging at present due a combination of economic uncertainty arising from US tariffs and inflation/cost of living pressures.

“It could be well into 2026 before full clarity exists within the market and this news will be concerning for barley producers,” said John Murphy. 

The US is by far the largest importer of Irish whiskey and a boom in sales so far this decade has resulted in a significant increase in demand for malting and adjunct barleys at farm level.

“Premium crops are crucial to the economic livelihoods of a significant number of tillage farmers,” said John Murphy.

The IWA said work is ongoing to ensure an increase of sales of Irish whiskey in other emerging markets such as India and South Africa but barriers to trade are also present in these regions and pivoting sales will not happen overnight.

IFA stressed to the IWA the importance of the Irish whiskey sector using 100% Irish malting barley. The IFA Malting Barley Committee is aware that some distillers have started to use imported European malt in recent times, which is a disappointing development.

“Both the tillage sector and the whiskey sector are facing a significant threat to their viability at present and it is critically important producers and end users work together to support each other,” concluded John Murphy.