IRISH DRINK exports to the USA were valued at €619m in 2021, new figures from Drinks Ireland show.
To mark the 4th of July, the Irish drinks industry has been highlighting the importance of the US market for exports from the sector.
In 2020, 51% of Irish drinks exports went to the USA, according to Bord Bia.
The US is the biggest export market for Irish spirits, which were valued at a mammoth €561 million in 2021.
Drinks Ireland said this was driven in large part by Irish whiskey - but it said Irish cream liqueur is also hugely popular in the US, while Irish gin is also carving a niche for itself.
Elsewhere, the US was the second biggest export destination for Irish beer and cider last year, after the UK.
Exports last year were valued at €49 million for Irish beer and €8.4 million for Irish cider.
"Irish drinks producers take great pride in creating quality products that are renowned the world over, and the US is a key destination for our spirits, beer and cider exports, which is very positive to see," said Vincent McGovern, Director of Drinks Ireland | Spirits.
"While heavily impacted by Covid-19, and particularly the global closure of the on-trade, exports remained resilient, and producers are now focused on recovery and further growth," he added.
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