- 2025 DISCUS American Spirits Exports Report
- Exports to Canada fell more than 70% year-over-year from the start of the retaliatory ban in March through December
U.S. spirits exports declined 3.8% in 2025 to $2.37 billion, reflecting ongoing trade tensions, retaliatory measures and broader economic pressures, according to the 2025 American Spirits Exports Report by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS).
The decline was mainly driven by weaker exports to Canada and the European Union. Exports to Canada dropped sharply after Canadian provinces removed American-made spirits from retail shelves beginning in March 2025. Meanwhile, exports of American whiskey to the EU declined following heavy front-loading of shipments by producers in late 2024 amid fears of retaliatory tariffs.
Canada’s restrictions significantly impacted performance, with exports to the country falling over 70% year-on-year from March through December 2025. However, excluding Canada, U.S. spirits exports rose 2.5%, highlighting resilient demand in other global markets.
American whiskey remained the top U.S. spirits export category despite a 19% decline, totaling $1.08 billion. Exports of American whiskey to the EU alone fell 35% in 2025.
Growth in other international markets partially offset the decline, with exports outside Canada and the EU rising 13.2%, led by Brazil, the United Kingdom, Australia and emerging markets.
The top five export markets for U.S. spirits in 2025 were the EU ($1.2 billion), UK ($153 million), Australia ($138 million), Mexico ($127 million) and Canada ($89 million), together accounting for 72% of total U.S. spirits exports.