A landmark trade agreement secured during Prime Minister Keir Starmer's visit to Beijing will see Chinese import duties on Scotch whisky cut from 10% to 5%, effective immediately. The move, hailed by industry leaders, is projected to inject £250 million into the UK economy and boost competitiveness in a key growth market.
Following the UK Prime Minister's visit to Beijing, China has agreed to slash tariffs on UK-produced whiskies from 10% to 5%, a move welcomed by the industry as a potential catalyst for growth in a key premium market.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer's landmark visit to Beijing marks a cautious pivot in UK-China relations, yielding agreements on tariffs, visas, and green energy. But can British businesses navigate the opportunities and challenges of re-engagement?
Barrell Craft Spirits has sold a contract bottling plant in Jeffersontown, Kentucky, consolidating operations back to its Louisville site amid shifting consumer demand and a broader slowdown in the US whiskey category.
New market data reveals a stark generational divide in American drinking habits, with Gen Z contributing a mere 4% to total alcohol sales last year. The findings challenge long-held industry assumptions and highlight the enduring spending power of older consumers amid a broader shift toward premiumization and alternative beverages.
