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SpiritsEurope releases trade roadmap to bolster EU spirits sector
The trade organisation has released ‘Objective 2030’, a plan aiming at tackling challenges faced in the EU spirits industry.
Belgian trade organisation SpiritsEurope has announced “Objective 2030,” a roadmap for an open EU trade policy aimed at addressing challenges and sustaining growth for the European spirits sector following a 7% drop in EU spirits exports last year.
Following a controversial autumn budget, described as a “kick in the teeth” for sectors such as wine and spirits, the plan focuses on maintaining the industry’s global competitiveness amid shifting economic and geopolitical landscapes.
The European spirits industry, known for its high-value, export-driven production, supports jobs in rural communities while relying heavily on trade. However, economic pressures, including slowed global growth, rising trade barriers, and international tensions, are posing risks to the sector’s future.
Ian McLernon, president of SpiritsEurope, emphasised the importance of addressing these challenges through robust trade policies.
“Trade and exports have been at the heart of our sector for centuries. However, this success should not be taken for granted. To overcome challenges such as the weaponisation of trade and economic slowdown, we need an open trade policy that fosters competitiveness, resilience, and growth,” McLernon said.
At the heart of the Objective 2030 plan is the need to stabilise the trade environment for European spirits. The roadmap calls for shielding the sector from external trade disputes that are unrelated to its operations, with an emphasis on finding multilateral solutions and bolstering collaboration between the private and public sectors to ensure steady market conditions.
Another focus of the roadmap is enhancing regulatory cooperation with non-EU markets. By addressing and preventing trade barriers, SpiritsEurope hopes to create a more seamless path for producers to access global markets. This effort is seen as essential to maintaining the competitive edge of European spirits, which rely on balancing tradition and innovation to meet international consumer demand.
Ambitious plans
Finally, Objective 2030 underscores the importance of expanding market access through ambitious trade agreements with key regions for growth. These agreements, coupled with EU-supported economic diplomacy and promotional campaigns, aim to diversify opportunities for producers and strengthen their presence in emerging markets.
Pauline Bastidon, external trade director at SpiritsEurope, highlighted the roadmap’s strategic goals, stating: “Delivering significant results on these calls for action will provide us with more options, greater resilience, and the ability to continue innovating and investing in sustainable practices. This is our vision for an open trade policy agenda that promotes competitiveness, security, and sustainability, one that allows us to keep contributing to the EU agri-food success story, the EU’s trade balance, and rural communities.”
European spirits producers rely on a blend of tradition, quality, and innovation to meet evolving global consumer preferences. As one of the EU’s flagship export sectors, their success also benefits European farmers and the rural economies where much of the production takes place.
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