Summary

The global spirits market has shown resilience despite facing challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As of 2020, there was a noticeable shift in spirits consumption habits, with consumers increasingly purchasing alcohol through online platforms. Italy observed fluctuating export-import ratios, with exports vastly surpassing imports, reflecting the renown of Italian spirits globally. The Italian spirits industry experienced a 2% decrease in the production of brandies and grappas in 2020 but saw a 3% increase in overall production of ethyl alcohol and spirits, with over 697 thousand hectoliters produced from cereals. The market is led by major groups like Gruppo Campari, with a turnover of 1.58 billion euros, alongside notable players such as Branca International and Illva Saronno. Excise duties in Italy stand at €1035.52 per anhydrous hectolitre of ethyl alcohol, imposing a tax of about €2.9 on a 0.70-liter bottle of whisky at 40% alcohol content. The industry demonstrates a market structure with a steady increase in the number of distillation companies, reaching 561, and a growing workforce. Despite the pandemic's impact, the reopening of public spaces and shifting consumer behaviors are expected to support ongoing market growth.

Trends in the Italian Spirits Market: Embracing Tradition and Innovation

The Italian spirits market, renowned for its high-quality and traditional beverages, has exhibited a dynamic interplay between long-standing preferences and emerging trends. A highlight in the market is the notable consumer inclination towards gin, which has experienced a staggering growth rate, reaching between 25% and 30%, confirming its status as a beloved spirit among the Italian population, along with vodka. Despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a downward trend in consumption due to restricted social activities, the Italian spirits industry remained resilient. With an 8.25% increase in consumption by value and a 5.37% increase in volume compared to the preceding year, the market demonstrated its robustness. The pandemic also catalyzed notable changes in consumer behavior, particularly in the channel of purchase, with a significant surge in online alcohol purchases, especially among the younger demographic aged between 18 and 34, where internet purchases rose markedly by between 160% and 210%.

In terms of market structure, Italy boasts a highly concentrated landscape with a mix of both influential international groups and an abundance of small-to-medium-sized local distillers specializing in a variety of spirits. The consolidation in the distribution sector is exemplified by the CDA consortium, which holds a significant 23% of the Italian liquid food distribution market. Moreover, the Italian spirits market is characterized by an export-oriented approach, with exports quintupling imports each year, indicating a robust international demand for Italian spirits. Germany, the United States, and the UK emerge as the top importers, showcasing the widespread appreciation of Italian distillates across the globe. In conclusion, the Italian spirits market remains vibrant despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a distinct shift towards e-commerce among consumers, robust export activity, and a persistent love for traditional spirits coupled with an openness to new experiences.

Key Players in the Italian Spirits Market Landscape

The Italian spirits market boasts a diverse array of companies ranging from world-renowned international groups to specialized local producers, each contributing to the rich tapestry of quality and tradition that Italian spirits are known for.

Gruppo Campari Leading the pack is the Gruppo Campari, a global behemoth in the spirits industry with an impressive portfolio that includes beloved brands such as Campari, Campari Soda, Aperol, Cinzano, Averna, Braulio, Cynar, Sky Vodka, and Wild Turkey Bourbon. With 18 production facilities across the globe, this group has solidified its position as a titan in the industry, delivering a mix of classic favorites and innovative new offerings that continue to capture the hearts of consumers.
Branca International Coming in strong is Branca International, an Italian holding firm rooted in Milan and orchestrating its global reach to over 160 countries. Renowned for the iconic Fernet Branca, this company also boasts a range of products including Mint Brandy, Brandy Stravecchio, Candolini Grappa, Caffè Borghetti, Sambuca Borghetti, Punt e Mes, Carpano white and classic vermouth, Carpano Ancient Formula, and Sernova Vodka.
Illva Saronno Illva Saronno holds a special place in the hearts of liqueur enthusiasts as the creators of the top-selling Italian liqueur in the world, DiSaronno. Under the guidance of the Reina family, the company also manages other distinguished labels such as Isolabella Line, Amaro 18, Artic line Vodka, Rabarbaro Zucca, Aurum, Marsala Florio, and Corvo Wines.
Martini & Rossi Affiliated with the Bacardi Group and headquartering in Turin, Martini & Rossi comes forth with its signature Martini vermouth and a wide selection of spirits including Bacardi rum, Bombay Sapphire, and Bosford gin, alongside vodka brands like Grey Goose, Eristoff, and 42Below as well as an assortment of whiskies such as Dewar's, William Lawson, and Aberfeldy.
Montenegro Montenegro commands attention as a key player, hailing from Bologna with a focus on their flagship amaro Montenegro. They also manage traditional Italian spirits like Vecchia Romagna and Grappa Libarna.

The Spirits Market - Italy

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Last update : 22/02/2022

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Summary and extracts

1 Market Overview

1.1 Definition and presentation

According to the regulation of the European Communities n. 1576/89 spirit (or spirits) is an alcoholic liquid "intended for human consumption, having particular organoleptic characteristics and a minimum alcoholic strength of 15% vol".

A spirit is obtained by distillation or maceration or aromatization of ethyl alcohol or other spirit drinks.

Spirits can be divided in:

Distillates: obtained by distillation of fermented products;
Liqueurs: obtained by aromatization of alcohol or other spirit drinks, and are characterized by a sweet taste;
Bitters: obtained by flavoring alcohol, and are characterized by a bitter taste.

The global spirits market is expected to grow at a rate of 3.45% through 2028. In terms of geographical distribution, the U.S. accounts for over 27% of the global market, while Asia Pacific proves to be the region with the highest growth rate. Moreover, the vodka segment is currently the largest segment, accounting for 25.1% of the global market share.

In 2019, spirits consumption in Italy grew by +8.25% in terms of value and +5.37% in terms of volume compared to the previous year. In particular, Gin recorded the highest growth, at a rate of 27.15%, confirming itself as one of the most loved spirits by Italians along with Vodka.

The Italian market is organized around two main types of operators. On one side we find important international groups, whereas on the other side we find small and medium producers or local distilleries specialized in one type of spirits.

In terms of distribution, the Italian panorama is very concentrated. In fact, the CDA consortium represents 23.0% of the Italian liquid food distribution market in the out-of-home channel. In 2019, among the channels that have grown the most we find the restaurant channel (+4.34%), followed by the bar channel (+3.12%), and finally the local channel with evening and night activity (+2.64%).

Finally, the Covid-19 health emergency had a negative impact on the alcohol industry in Italy due to the prolonged closure of restaurants, bars and night clubs.

2 Demand Analysis

3 Market Structure

4 Analysis of the offer

5 Regulation

6 Player positioning

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Latest news

How India is becoming Pernod Ricard's whisky paradise - 22/01/2024

Pernod Ricard aims to accelerate its presence in India.
The French giant, which occupies a leading position in the sub-continent
Strong growth in the Indian whisky market.
In the entry-level whisky segment, the group owns Royal Stag and Imperial Blue - two brands produced in India that rank among the top 5 best-selling whiskies in the country. It also owns several high-end brands: Chiva's Regal, Ballantine's and Glenlivet - imported whiskies that carry a 150% surtax.
India accounts for 10% of the Group's total sales, or around 1.2 billion euros.
A major market for the Group behind the United States.
Consumption of imported whiskies and high-end Indian single malts is booming.
Scotch imports are set to double between 2020 and 2022,
India is the leading export market for Scottish brands.
Sales of Indian single malt rose by 144% between 2021 and 2022.
Local brands owned by the French giant account for 85% of sales by value. Imports of foreign brands account for the remaining 15%.
Pernod Ricard has 27 factories across the country.

The trials and tribulations of Pernod Ricard to create the first whisky "made in China" - 17/12/2023

Pernod Ricard inaugurates the country's first whisky distillery
Pernod Ricard plans to invest 150 million euros over ten years in this project.
Market launch of the first bottles of The Chuan, the first pure malt made in China.
Bottles are priced between 115 and 190 euros, depending on the degree of alcohol (40, 46 or 60 degrees) and the type of aging.
Pernod Ricard's Chinese subsidiary accounts for 10% of group sales
Pernod Ricard is the world's second-largest spirits company, and already owns some 50 whiskies (including Chivas, Ballantine's, The Glenlivet, Aberlour, Royal Salute, Jameson and Jefferson's),
The Chinese spirits market remains 97% dominated by Baijiu (sorghum-based alcohol).
Western spirits share the remaining 3%, starting with cognac (a market worth 3.2 billion euros, according to specialist consultancy IWSR) and whisky (1.2 billion euros).
The Emeishan distillery is located on the Mount Emei road, used by millions of Chinese tourists throughout the year. Pernod Ricard expects two million visitors within the next ten years.

Never full of acquisitions, Campari ready to revive Courvoisier cognac - 16/12/2023

campari, the group that owns the Grand Marnier liqueur and the Aperol aperitif, is negotiating with Japan's Beam Suntory to acquire 100% of its Courvoisier cognac for 1.1 billion euros, i.e. almost 5 times sales (230 million euros by 2022).
Beam Suntory's strategy is to refocus on its premium whiskies (American bourbons, Japanese whiskies, etc.).
Campari generates sales of 2.7 billion euros
Half of the growth in recent years has come from acquisitions: Grand Marnier (2016), Trois Rivières rums (2019), Lallier champagne (2020), Picon liqueur in 2022.
The Italian group has made seven acquisitions in six years in France
The United States, Campari's biggest market
To grow in China, where Campari is weak, you need a cognac
alongside Martell (Pernod-Ricard), Hennessy (LVMH) and Rémy Martin (Rémy Cointreau), Courvoisier is the fourth-largest player in this Charentais spirit, with a 5% global market share. 50% of its sales are made in China, where the local spirit, baijiu, remains ultra-dominant (97% of the local market by volume).
Imported cognacs and whiskies have been in vogue for the past decade. Pernod Ricard, Diageo and LVMH take the lion's share.
In the United States, Campari already generates nearly 30% of its business.
Aperol leads Campari's sales (25% of sales in the first nine months of 2023).
Sales of Wild Turkey bourbon, acquired from Pernod Ricard in 2009, have more than tripled.

Spirits: Bardinet equips itself with cutting-edge logistics for export expansion - 13/12/2023

Bardinet has been a subsidiary of La Martiniquaise since 1993.
La Martiniquaise acquired Marie Brizard in 2019.
Bardinet generates almost half of its sales of 240 million euros from exports.
La Martiniquaise has sales of 1.4 billion euros.
The group is number one in the French spirits market, and eighth worldwide.

The Chuan, Pernod Ricard's first Chinese whisky | Pernod Ricard and Chuan Whisky - 13/12/2023

The Pernod Ricard group has launched the first bottles of pure malt produced at The Chuan distillery in China.
The bottles are priced at 100 euros each.
Pernod Ricard has invested 150 million euros over ten years to finance China's first foreign whisky distillery.
The distillery has a capacity of 1 to 1.5 million pure spirits.
China remains a massive consumer of Baiju, the national spirit, with a share of foreign alcohol consumption of less than 2%.
Pernod Ricard holds leading positions in China for the two most widely consumed imported spirits, cognac with Martell and whisky with Chivas.

How Bacardi slips St. Germain into a spritz - 28/09/2023

St-Germain liqueur was acquired by Bacardi in 2013.
The brand was introduced by Bacardi in France and Italy between 10 and 15 years ago.
The St-Germain brand was created in 2007.
Bacardi recorded sales of $14 billion.
In France, supermarkets account for two-thirds of Bacardi's sales.
Direct sales by Bacardi's French subsidiary reached $680 million last year.
The company owns more than 200 brands and labels.
In the United States, mezcal and tequila are among the group's best-selling products.

Companies quoted in this study

This study contains a complete overview of the companies in the market, with the latest figures and news for each company. :

Pernod Ricard Groupe

La Martiniquaise Bardinet

Campari

Bacardi

Branca International

ILLVA SARONNO

Molinari

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