Vodka has always been the mainstay of Polish spirits exports, but whisky has experienced rapid growth in recent years. In 2021, its export value was 40 million zloty (45.32 million ringgit), rising to 197 million zloty (223 million ringgit) by 2024, displaying impressive performance and diversifying Poland’s spirits export portfolio.
According to a report by Central News Agency, based on the latest report released by the Polish Spirits Industry Employers Association (ZPPPS), the total export value of Polish spirits has grown at an average annual rate of 11% over the past 10 years, reaching 2.4 billion zloty (2.7 billion ringgit) in 2024, surpassing the total export value of milk, cream, and yogurt.
The report points out that vodka is still the main export spirit, with overseas sales last year approaching 900 million zloty (1 billion ringgit). The primary markets include France, the United States, Hungary, the United Kingdom, and Germany; however, the structure of Poland's spirits exports is becoming "increasingly diversified."
According to association statistics, in 2002, vodka accounted for about 80% of total exported spirits, but this has now dropped to around 38%; whisky has risen to become an important export category, accounting for about 8.2% of the total export value.
Polish domestic whisky brands are gradually gaining international recognition. According to data provided by independent English website Poland Notes, Pabstrokie Single Barrel Whisky won the Silver Medal for World Whiskies at the 2023 International Spirits Challenge.
The ZPPPS report states that the spirits industry in 2024 is expected to bring up to 10.3 billion zloty (11.7 billion ringgit) in excise tax revenue to the Polish government. In the same year, beer brought 3.7 billion zloty (4.2 billion ringgit) in excise revenue, while wine contributed 600 million zloty (700 million ringgit).