World gets thirsty for British gin as exports skyrocket
The rest of the world has developed a bigger taste for British gin than ever before, as new figures show global exports have risen 166 per cent by value since 2000.
According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, exports since 2010 have risen 44 per cent by volume and 46 per cent by value.
The US in particular has an unquenchable thirst for the UK's gin tipples, as the value of exports across the pond has risen by a staggering 553 per cent in the last decade.
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Although British spirits exports are dominated by whisky, gin now accounts for 11 per cent of the £4.9bn spirits trade.
"The exporting of British gin is increasingly important to UK exports," said Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association.
"Where others are experiencing a dip in trade, gin continues to increase in sales year on year. Post-Brexit we need to ensure that the flow of gin and other British spirits is not disrupted."
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Tom Warner, co-founder of British craft gin distiller Warner Edwards told City PM the power of "Brand Britannia" was one of the key drivers in the sector.
"The historical quality standard of British gin and a hotbed of new British products that are being launched have boosted gin's popularity," Warner said. "Thirdly, Brits are particularly good at branding – Brand Britannia, although probably slightly muddied now by Brexit, has always been one of good quality British gin."