Imported spirits market expects growth pace to double

The market of imported spirits, in particular the whisky market, is expecting growth pace to double compared with the previous years, after the elimination of customs duties prompted price decreases of up to 35% for imported brands. “The decreases in prices are significant and they target all types of imported spirits. So, compared with October 2006, the decrease in price for whisky stands at 30-35%, for vodka at 20%, for gin at 20% and for brandy at 30%,” stated Tudor Furir, the general manager of Pernod Ricard, a company that brings the Chivas Regal or Ballantinees brands onto the local market. The whisky market for example, could reach 3.7 million litres this year, over 30% more than in 2006. In terms of value, the market could grow by a maximum 10-15%, to 45 million euros. This repositioning of prices started midway through January and will be completed at the end of February, say leading figures in the industry.