The Irish Whiskey Association published a 10-year report at the beginning of December looking at the Irish whiskey sector from 2010 to 2020, which it notes was a key time in the restoration of the industry.

In 2010, just four distilleries were in operation on this island and sales were under five million cases.

Move forward to November 2020 and an estimated total investment of €1.55bn and 38 distilleries were operational, while major investments had been made in Midleton and Tullamore distilleries.

At the beginning of 2020, whiskey sales had reached 12 million cases per year or 144 million bottles. Fifty-one percent of the growth in sales has come from the US, but the spirit is sold in 140 countries worldwide.

The €1.55bn invested in the sector since 2010 has resulted in whiskey export values increasing from less than €200m in 2010 to €890m in 2019.

Sustainability

On the topic of sustainability, the report takes an interesting path, as grain use falls well down the list after the number of timber pallets and used American oak barrels purchased.

The report states that the industry used over 200,000t of malt and grain. A large proportion of the grain it refers to, of course, is imported maize.

The report clearly states that “there is a requirement to import maize which is not grown in Ireland” and to import peated and specialist malts which are not produced commercially in Ireland.

However, the association stated that the industry is a proud buyer of Irish barley and purchases approximately one-third of the 300,000t of Irish grain produced for the drinks sector each year in this country.

On a positive note, the report outlined demand for other grain types, such as wheat, oats and rye.

Wheat is one grain which, with research, could prove a viable alternative to maize, but as the major growth in sales has come from blended whiskey, it is unlikely there will be a massive decrease in maize use anytime soon.

On the other hand, with the growth in blended whiskey sales also comes demand for single malts and while this is a smaller proportion of the market overall, it will contribute to an increase in demand for Irish barley.

Decline in tillage area must be halted and reversed

The report also commented that the decline in the tillage area in this country must be halted and reversed.

“The Irish whiskey industry wants to see a viable and successful Irish barley sector which can meet future demands.”

The report cited the decline in spring barley area of 60% since 1985 as a cause for concern, particularly as tillage has a low level of greenhouse gas emissions.

Sustainable Green Barley Scheme

In an attempt to curb this decline Irish Distillers has developed the Sustainable Green Barley Scheme. This was rolled out in 2020 with the support of the Irish Farmers’ Association and “is designed to support the long-term viability of the spring barley sector in Ireland and reward farmers for delivering further environmental benefits on their farms”.

The scheme aims to increase biodiversity on farms while also mapping and reducing the carbon footprint on participating farms.