Ouzo leads the exports of Greece’s alcoholic beverages, maintaining the top position in the first half of 2024, with Germany absorbing at least 43 percent of exports.
The recent Eurostat figures compiled by the Greek Association of Distilled Spirits Producers (SEAOP) show that Greek ouzo continues to lead. Even though it has to compete with similar type of drinks from the Mediterranean (Italy, Spain and France), ouzo has been established internationally due to its high quality. In the last five years, it shows an increase of 45 percent in value and 8 percent in quantity.
Ouzo continues to hold the top spot in Greek spirits exports, amounting to 59 percent of value and 71 percent of quantity of all Greek spirits exports in the first half of 2024. In particular, the first half of 2024 shows a percentage increase of 7.3 percent in value and 3.6 percent in quantity compared to the corresponding half in 2023.
European countries continue to lead in value and quantity in imports, in the total of ouzo destination countries. The first place is held by Germany with 43 percent of the total in value and 46.6 percent in quantity, followed by Bulgaria with 20.3 percent in value and 16.5 percent in quantity and in third place is Iraq with 19.3 percent in value and 19.8 percent in quantity.
Tsipouro/tsikoudia exports increase as well
Other than ouzo, the trend of tsipouro/tsikoudia appreciation internationally continues and so do exports. Specifically, although they are only a small share (about 2 percent of value and 1 percent of quantity) of the total exports of Greek-produced alcoholic beverages, they are a constantly growing category.
In fact, in the past five years (2020-2024) they record an increase of 99 percent in value and 62 percent in quantity. The first half of 2024 shows a slight increase of 7 percent in value while the quantity decreased by 10.3 percent compared to the first half of 2023.
It is noted that the exports of tsipouro/tsikoudia to third countries showed a significant increase of 61.1 percent in value and 31.2 percent in quantity, compared to the corresponding 2023 period. A small drop was recorded in the exports of tsipouro/tsikoudia within the EU 27 in the first half 2024, which translates to 6.6 percent in value and 19 percent in quantity compared to the corresponding half of 2023.
Other than ouzo, Germany is the biggest importer of tsipouro with a share of 46.4 percent of the total in value. Albania follows in second place with 12.6 percent and the U.S. is in 3rd place with 10.6 percent.
Overall increase in Greek alcoholic drinks exports
According to SEAOP statistics, the distilling industry seems to be one of the most extroverted, highlighting the Greek tradition all over the world. It is also a driving force for the domestic economy with an upward trend in exports.
In more detail, overall exports of Greek alcoholic beverages in the first half of 2024 showed a positive sign in both value and quantity, in contrast to European exports which in the same time period suffered a decrease of 7.75 percent in value. The Greek distillery industry has once again demonstrated remarkable resilience by overcoming financial obstacles and highlighting the undisputed quality of Greek spirits both nationally and internationally.
According to recent Eurostat data processed by SEAOP, the distillery sector remained one of the most positive in the first half of 2024, against international uncertainty, showing an overall increase in the exports of Greek alcoholic beverages within the EU-27 and in third countries by 12.5 percent in value and 0.4 percent in quantity compared to the corresponding 2023 period.
At the same time, the course of exports of ouzo and other Greek alcoholic beverages in the first half, from 2019 to 2024, shows that exports have a significant upward trend in value and a sluggish increase in quantity, which is not insignificant The comparison with the last five years shows this year a perennial increase in Greek alcoholic beverages exports in value by 61.4 percent, but also in quantity by 12.8 percent.
The average export price of Greek alcoholic beverages continues on an upward trend, especially after Covid-19. The average price in the first half of 2024 increased by a total of 12.1 percent (3.2 percent in third countries and 14.4 percent within the EU-27), compared to 2023.
