Whiskies market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish whisky market opened the period at a high of 79 980 thousand liters in 2018, supported by strong premiumization trends and growing consumer interest in high-quality spirits, despite a prior increase in excise taxes. Volume then fell to 69 003 thousand liters in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a steep contraction to 38 687 thousand liters in 2020, as lockdowns and bar closures drastically reduced on-trade consumption.

A post-pandemic recovery followed, with market volume rising to 46 397 thousand liters in 2021, driven by increasing affordability of whisky and the return of social gatherings. Growth accelerated in 2022, reaching 65 082 thousand liters, fueled by the launch of new exclusive product ranges—such as those from William Grant & Sons—and growing collector demand for aged and rare whiskies. Regulatory changes, including EU tariffs on American whisky imports, also reshaped trade flows during this upswing.

The upward momentum reversed in 2023, with volume contracting to 45 481 thousand liters, and further to 40 561 thousand liters in 2024, bringing the market back near its pandemic-era level despite reported ongoing premiumization and economic improvement in industry sources.

Production whiskies in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest value was recorded in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1.9 times. In 2020, whisky output in Spain was valued at 98.2 million US dollars, marking a 46.2% decrease from 2019. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 182.6 million US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, reaching 84.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

After two years of growth, whisky production in Spain declined. In 2020, 24 980 thousand liters of whisky were produced in Spain, which is 41.0% lower than the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 32.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.1%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 42 364 thousand liters. The largest increase occurred in 2019, reaching 9.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K l

Exports whiskies from Spain

Exports in kind, K l

Cross-border shipments of whisky from Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 16 795 thousand liters, indicating a 35.5% rise from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 262.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 53.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of whisky from Spain were relatively evenly distributed. The Netherlands accounted for 9.0% of exports in kind, Poland for 8.3%, and Latvia for 7.3%, jointly representing only 24.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign whisky supplies from Spain increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 130.0 million US dollars, indicating a slight gain of 2.8% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 123.6%, equating to an annualized rate of 30.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the role of the Netherlands, Poland, and the United Kingdom as buyers of whisky from Spain was notable but not dominant. The Netherlands accounted for 9.4% of exports in value terms, Poland for 6.3%, and the United Kingdom for 6.2%, with their joint share reaching only 21.9% of total exports in value terms.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports whiskies to Spain

Imports in kind, K l

Spain's whisky imports declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 30 502 thousand liters, representing a notable decrease of 21.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.5%. The maximum volume was recorded in 2018 at 47 481 thousand liters. The largest increase occurred in 2018, reaching 35.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, K l

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Netherlands consistently occupied leading positions in the country structure of imports in kind. The United Kingdom accounted for 37.4% of imports in kind, the United States for 30.1%, and the Netherlands for 25.4%, jointly accounting for 93.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Whisky imports to Spain declined for the third consecutive year. Spain imported approximately 245.4 million US dollars of whisky in 2020, constituting a sharp decline of 25.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 38.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and the United States remained the key directions for imports in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 36.9% of imports in value terms, the Netherlands for 30.1%, and the United States for 25.5%, together taking 92.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020