This list reveals the top 10 whiskey importers based on their percentage of global import purchases (shown within parenthesis). In 2017, world whiskey imports totaled US$11.3 billion.
African Importers
Africa imported $392.4 million worth of whiskey led by the following countries:
1. South Africa: $188.3 million
2. Kenya: $18.1 million
3. Cameroon: $17.2 million
4. Algeria: $17.1 million
5. Morocco: $17 million
6. Namibia: $17 million
7. Ethiopia: $16.5 million
8. Mauritius: $10.9 million
9. Nigeria: $10 million
10. Angola: $9.6 million
Asian Importers
Asia imported $2.6 billion worth of whiskey led by the following countries:
1. Singapore: $605 million
2. Taiwan: $453.3 million
3. Japan: $362.3 million
4. India: $163.4 million
5. Vietnam: $161.1 million
6. South Korea: $152.6 million
7. China: $135.7 million
8. Malaysia: $135.4 million
9. Thailand: $112 million
10. Turkey: $89.6 million
European Union (EU) Importers
European Union imported $3.7 billion worth of whiskey led by the following EU members:
1. France: $844 million
2. Germany: $526.5 million
3. Spain: $396.2 million
4. Netherlands: $358.1 million
5. United Kingdom: $290.7 million
6. Poland: $164.1 million
7. Latvia: $141.3 million
8. Belgium: $126.9 million
9. Italy: $118.5 million
10. Greece: $81.6 million
Latin American and Caribbean Importers
Latin America (excluding Mexico) and the Caribbean imported $641.2 million worth of whiskey led by the following countries:
1. Panama: $159.9 million
2. Brazil: $106.8 million
3. Dominican Republic: $75.6 million
4. Chile: $53.3 million
5. Peru: $31.2 million
6. Colombia: $28.7 million
7. Paraguay: $26.7 million
8. Aruba: $22.9 million
9. Argentina: $22.3 million
10. Venezuela: $17.9 million
Middle Eastern Importers
Middle East imported $424.3 million worth of whiskey led by the following countries:
1. United Arab Emirates: $229.2 million
2. Israel: $64 million
3. Iraq: $41.6 million
4. Lebanon: $37.6 million
5. Qatar: $17.6 million
6. Oman: $15.9 million
7. Bahrain: $11.5 million
8. Jordan: $5.1 million
9. Syrian Arab Republic: $1.7 million
10. Palestine: $12,000
North American Importers
North America imported $2.6 billion worth of whiskey led by the following countries:
1. United States: $2.2 billion
2. Canada: $209.8 million
3. Mexico: $178.8 million
Oceanian Importers
Oceania imported $368.5 million worth of whiskey led by the following countries:
1. Australia: $293.1 million
2. New Zealand: $55.5 million
3. Fiji: $5.8 million
4. New Caledonia: $4.5 million
5. Solomon Islands: $3.3 million
6. Papua New Guinea: $2.3 million
7. Vanuatu: $1.2 million
8. French Polynesia: $880,000
9. Cook Islands: $281,000
10. Palau: $252,000
To see the 25 fastest-growing whiskey importers from 2013 to 2017, use the slidebar on the accompanying list. Overall, the 5-year percentage decline for globally imported whiskey was -2.3%.
Data source: Trade Map, International Trade Centre, www.intracen.org/marketanalysis
Top Whiskey Importers 2017
Fastest-Growing Whiskey Import Countries
Research Note: Import numbers rarely match the source exporters’ stats. Reasons for import-export statistical discrepancies include re-exports, time lags, misallocations, distinct trade reporting systems, different quantity measurements and country confidentiality rules. Also, transportation and insurance costs are sometimes added to import totals.
