Greek alcoholic spirits exports held almost steady at €52.3 million in the first half of 2026, slipping just 0.03 per cent in value on a year earlier.
Volume fell 1.43 per cent to 18.2 million kilograms, according to Eurostat data processed by SEAOP, the spirits producers’ federation. In value terms, the drop amounted to only €15,700.
Even so, the long-term trend in alcoholic spirits exports remains upward, the federation said. Compared with the first half of 2019, exports rose 41.5 per cent in value and 11.1 per cent in volume.
Over the past five years, value has climbed 16.1 per cent, while volume has slipped 2.5 per cent.
The average export price reached €2.88 a kilogram, up 1.4 per cent on the same period of 2025. SEAOP said that price remains well above post-COVID-19 levels.
Where alcoholic spirits exports go
EU countries still take the bulk of Greek alcoholic spirits exports. They absorbed 79.5 per cent of value, or €41.61 million, and 80.2 per cent of volume, or 14.57 million kilograms.
However, exports to the EU fell 0.98 per cent in value. Sales to countries outside the bloc grew 3.8 per cent in value, although volume dipped 0.7 per cent.
Germany remains the top destination, taking 40.5 per cent of volume (7.36 million kilograms) and 36 per cent of value (€18.82 million).
Bulgaria ranks second, with value down 2.6 per cent but volume up 5.2 per cent. Iraq holds third place after a rebound, buying 2.35 million kilograms worth €5.87 million.
Gin drives growth in new markets
Beyond these traditional buyers, Greek distillers are steadily expanding alcoholic spirits exports into other destinations. Poland, Italy and Czechia each recorded value growth above 40 per cent.
In Poland, sales climbed 77.1 per cent, from €1.12 million to €1.98 million. Italy posted the sharpest rise, up 152.6 per cent from €286,900 to €724,700.
Czechia added 45.4 per cent, reaching €703,100 from €483,400, the Eurostat figures show.
The federation linked these gains mainly to rising demand for gin and for a wider group of brandy-type spirits. Both categories have broadened the range Greek producers sell abroad, according to SEAOP.
At the same time, total Greek exports jumped 16.5 per cent in the first eight months of 2026, GCT reported.
Two years ago, ouzo led the category in the first half of 2024, with Germany as its main market.
Source: AMNA
The post Greek Spirits Hold Steady as Three New Markets Surge appeared first on Greek City Times.