Removal of Tariffs on Irish Whiskey Welcome Boost for Growers

Commenting on the announcement by President Donald Trump on the removal of tariffs on Irish whiskey exports to the US, IFA Grain Chair John Murphy said the news will be a welcome boost for growers producing barley for the malting and distilling sector.

“Owing to the downturn in Irish whiskey exports to the key US market, no distilling malting barley was purchased this harvest and this has had a knock-on impact on farm incomes,” he said.

“Removal of tariffs will hopefully kickstart demand for Irish whiskey on US shelves and allow malting barley demand to recover more quickly than anticipated in 2027,” he said. 

Irish malting barley growers have significantly increased the quantity of distilling malting barley produced in the past number of years. Working together collaboratively with stakeholders such as Teagasc, grain merchants and maltsters has also led to much better grain quality outcomes.

“Growers also feel there is significant scope for more Irish grain to be utilised by the distilling industry.  In our submission to the Public Consultation on the Irish Whiskey Techical file, IFA said that Irish grain must be utilised in Irish whiskey,” he said.