British gin exports reached a record £2.1 billion in 2025, according to data released by HMRC this week, marking a fourteen per cent increase on the previous year and confirming the UK's position as the world's leading gin exporter by value. The figures, which cover all categories of gin shipped from the UK, show particularly strong growth in the premium and super-premium segments.
The United States remains the single largest export market for British gin, accounting for approximately £480 million of the total — a twenty-one per cent increase on 2024. Germany and Spain follow at £310 million and £245 million respectively, while Australia emerged as the fastest-growing major market with a thirty-seven per cent year-on-year increase to £178 million.
The Premium Factor
The growth is being driven overwhelmingly by premium products. According to the Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA), the average price per litre of exported British gin rose by eight per cent in 2025, indicating that volume growth is being outpaced by value growth — a clear premiumisation trend.
"British gin is increasingly synonymous with quality and craft," said Miles Beale, chief executive of the WSTA. "Consumers worldwide are willing to pay more for authentic, well-made gin, and British distillers are well-positioned to meet that demand."
The data reveals interesting patterns within the premium tier. London Dry gin continues to dominate by volume, accounting for roughly sixty-five per cent of all exports. However, contemporary and flavoured gins are growing faster in percentage terms, with exports of flavoured gin up thirty-two per cent year-on-year. This suggests that while the traditional styles provide the foundation, innovation is driving incremental growth.
The Distillery Boom
The export figures correlate with the continued expansion of the UK's distillery base. According to HMRC licensing data, there were 1,087 licensed gin distilleries in the UK at the end of 2025, up from 1,014 at the end of 2024. Scotland accounts for the largest number of new openings, with twenty-eight new licences granted in 2025, followed by England with twenty-three and Wales with four.
Not all of these new distilleries are focused on export — many serve primarily local and regional markets. But the clustering of new operations in areas with strong tourism industries, such as the Scottish Highlands and the Cotswolds, suggests that distillery tourism and export ambition are increasingly linked.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the positive headline figures, the industry faces headwinds. Post-Brexit trade friction continues to add cost and complexity to European shipments, with several smaller distillers reporting that paperwork and border delays make EU exports uneconomic at small volumes. The strength of the pound against the euro has also compressed margins on European sales.
The US market, while growing strongly, presents its own challenges. Federal excise tax policy remains uncertain following the expiry of temporary duty reductions, and several UK distillers have reported difficulty navigating the state-by-state regulatory patchwork that governs spirits distribution in America.
Looking ahead, industry analysts at IWSR forecast continued growth in UK gin exports through 2028, with total value expected to reach £2.8 billion. However, they caution that growth rates are likely to moderate as the market matures and competition from domestic producers in key export markets — particularly the US, Australia, and Japan — intensifies.
For now, British gin is enjoying a golden age of international demand. The challenge for the industry will be sustaining that momentum while navigating an increasingly complex global trade environment.
