The global spirits market is forecast to grow by almost 122m nine-litre cases between 2014 and 2020 to surpass 3.2bn cases by 2020, according to the latest forecast data from the IWSR. Although this marks a steady rise in volume, the category’s CAGR between 2014 and 2020 of +0.6% will be noticeably slower than the previous five-year CAGR of +3.6%.

Growth is expected to be more conservative than previously as many markets experienced strong recovery of volumes in the aftermath of the global recession. The lion’s share of the growth will stem from Asia, with China and India outperforming all other markets. However, growth in North America, Africa & Middle East and the duty-free markets will all contribute to the category’s overall expansion, reports the IWSR’s global trends and innovation consultant Sophia Holliday in The IWSR Forecast 2015-2020 Global Review.

Population growth and rising disposable income levels in many emerging markets will aid growth in spirits consumption, but also mature markets such as the US and the UK are set to draw back some of the attention from less-developed regions with attractive opportunities for volume and value development.

Total annual consumption of whisk(e)y will rise to 467.4m cases, overtaking vodka to become the second-largest spirits category behind national spirits by 2020. Whisky and tequila are forecasted to be the fastest-growing spirits categories, with a CAGR from 2014-2020 of +3.8% and +2.9% respectively.

Consumption of imported spirits is forecast to rise with a CAGR of +1.6% between 2014 and 2020 adding 37.5m cases, with gin and tequila showing the fastest growth.

About the IWSR Forecast Report 2015-2020 and Global Review
The IWSR Forecast Report 2015-2020 looks at the global alcoholic beverage market over the next five years, covering the most recent and future trends for all wine, spirits mixed drinks, beer and cider categories in 61 key countries and straight-lines the remaining countries, giving both numbers and the reasoning and explanation behind those forecasts. The straight-line forecasts are then modified by the IWSR analysts. The Global Review analyses the global trends for all wine and spirits categories, RTDs and beer in the key regions. Each section includes data tables, charts and graphs, as well as a written summary with insight into the key trends.
• Regional overviews by category and quality: Europe, CIS, Asia-Pacific, North America, South America.
• Category overviews analysed by region, leading markets, sub-categories and quality (super-premium, premium, standard and value).

About the IWSR
The IWSR is the leading source of analysis on the alcoholic beverage market. The IWSR’s database, essential to the industry, quantifies the global market of wine, spirits, beer and mixed drinks by volume and value, and provides insight into short- and long-term trends. Our data is used by all of the largest multinational wine and spirits companies, as well as many more local companies. The IWSR’s unique methodology allows us to get closer to what is actually consumed and better understand how markets work. The IWSR conducts face-to-face interviews with 1,500 companies in 118 countries each year, with further input from 350 companies. The IWSR tracks overall consumption and trends at brand, quality and category level.