spiritsEUROPE Urges Accelerated EU Action on Competitiveness and Regulatory Reform Following Producer Survey
A survey of 50 spirits producers conducted by spiritsEUROPE reveals growing concern over the European business environment, with 60% reporting deteriorating conditions and only 24% expressing confidence in the EU's current competitiveness measures.
European trade association spiritsEUROPE has urged European Union and national authorities to accelerate measures on economic competitiveness, regulatory simplification, and global market access. The demand follows a sentiment survey conducted among European spirits producers during the organization's 'Spirit of Life Week' event in Brussels.
The survey captured responses from 50 spirits producers, with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) making up the majority of respondents. According to the findings, six in ten respondents (60%) reported a deterioration in Europe's overall business environment over the past year, and six in ten stated they lack confidence that EU spirits production will grow over the next 12 months. More than half of respondents identified regulatory issues as a primary challenge for the upcoming 12 months. Economic headwinds such as inflation, diminished consumer purchasing power, tax burdens, and rising trade tensions were also cited as major concerns. Furthermore, 86% of respondents reported persistent problems with unfair trading practices, including unjustified penalties, late payments, and product delisting, with 40% indicating these issues have worsened over the past five years.
While respondents acknowledged ongoing EU efforts regarding regulatory simplification and new trade agreements, only 24% expressed confidence that current progress is sufficient to protect long-term competitiveness. Surveyed executives indicated that future sector growth is expected to come primarily from non-European markets, pointing to North America, China, and India as key growth drivers over the next five years. Nevertheless, nearly one in three producers plans to increase investment in Europe in the year ahead, while the majority expect investment levels to remain stable.
In statement commentary, spiritsEUROPE President Patrick Piana noted that European spirits producers remain committed to local production and investment, but warned that long-term competitiveness cannot be taken for granted without swifter political action. Director General Mark Titterington called for a more integrated Single Market, a predictable fiscal and regulatory framework, and expanded trade promotion efforts to support European exports.
According to spiritsEUROPE, the European spirits sector supports 1.2 million jobs, generates €60 billion in gross value added, and yields €25.3 billion in annual tax revenues across 44 product categories and 250 geographical indications.
Key facts
- 60% of surveyed spirits producers reported a deterioration in Europe's business environment over the past year.
- Over 50% of respondents identified regulatory issues as a top challenge over the next 12 months.
- Only 24% of respondents are confident that current EU efforts on competitiveness and regulatory simplification are sufficient.
- 86% of producers report unfair trading practices, with 40% stating the situation has worsened in the past five years.
- North America, China, and India are identified as the primary long-term growth markets for European spirits producers.
- The European spirits sector supports 1.2 million jobs, €60 billion in gross value added, and €25.3 billion in annual tax revenues.
Why it matters
The survey highlights policy, tax, and trade frictions affecting spirits producers across Europe. It demonstrates that regulatory delays and unfair trading practices could hamper domestic competitiveness, prompting manufacturers to seek primary future growth in overseas markets such as North America, China, and India.
- spiritsEUROPE — Press releases: “spiritsEUROPE - Press releases”
This article was prepared by WBI.org from the sources listed above with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a WBI editor before publication. Information is attributed to its original sources.