Poland's Whisky Boom: Fastest-Growing Alcohol Export

Whisky sales have increased fivefold since 2021, making it currently Poland's fastest-growing alcohol export.

· Last year, Polish whisky exports reached PLN 197 million (€46.3 million), up fivefold from PLN 40 million in 2021.

· However, according to a new report from the Polish Association of Employers in the Spirits Industry (ZPPPS), vodka remains the largest volume spirit export from Poland, with overseas sales nearing PLN 900 million last year.

The ZPPPS noted that Polish spirit exports have grown at an average annual rate of 11% over the past decade, and are expected to reach PLN 2.4 billion in 2024, exceeding the combined exports of milk, cream, and yogurt. The main markets include France, the US, Hungary, the UK, and Germany.

The association also pointed out that Polish spirit exports, long dominated by vodka, are becoming "increasingly diversified."

· In 2002, vodka accounted for approximately 80% of exported spirits; this figure has now dropped to around 38%.

· Whisky is expected to account for 8.2% of total exports by 2024.

Leading Polish Whisky Brands

One of the leading brands is Paprocki Whisky, produced by the family-run company Bartmix-Bartol, located in Tomyśl, western Poland. In 2023, its Paprocki Single Cask Whisky won a Silver Medal in the World Whisky category at the International Spirits Challenge, a major global blind-tasting competition.

Another brand is Jakubiak Whisky, produced at the Ciechan Brewery, which belongs to a group founded by entrepreneur Marek Jakubiak. Marek Jakubiak is also a right-wing politician who has twice run unsuccessfully for president.

Economic Contribution of the Spirits Industry

According to the report by the Polish Association of the Alcohol and Beverage Industry (ZPPPS), the spirits industry is contributing nearly PLN 26 billion to Poland's GDP by 2024. Approximately 82% of the industry’s value added flows into the state budget through various taxes, including excise duty, VAT, and income tax.

The report notes: "For the spirits industry, excise duty is the most significant source of revenue, expected to generate PLN 10.3 billion in revenue in 2024." In the same year, excise duty revenue from beer was PLN 3.7 billion, while wine contributed PLN 600 million.

The government recently proposed a further increase in excise duties as an option to narrow the growing budget gap.

Major Polish Whisky Exporters

What are the major exporters of Polish whisky?

Using Tendata's import and export database, it is easy to see the main global importers and exporters of a certain product, including Polish whisky exporters. From Tendata, we can see the main Polish whisky exporters in 2024 are as follows:

1.DSV SOLUTIONS SP Z O O ON BEHALF OF PETER JUSTESEN COMPANY A S(10.04%)

2.FIRMA GEBR HEINEMANN SE AND CO KG(8.48%)

3.TRADALL S A(6.8%)

4.DOEHLER SPOLKA Z O O(5.36%)

5.MOET HENNESSY ASIA PACIFIC PTE LTD(5.16%)

6.EVAFLOR(4.67%)

7.DOEHLER GMBH(4.34%)

8.GEBR HEINEMANN SE AND CO KG(4.32%)

9.ALMI EXPORT GMBH(4.11%)

10.ADM WILD EUROPE(4.03%)