Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News

US tariffs on Scotch lifted following King’s visit

Published: 01 May, 2026

US president Donald Trump has announced that tariffs on Scotch whisky and other controls will be removed following King Charles’ visit to the United States.

South Africa set for zero-tariff wine exports to China

Published: 30 April, 2026

South African wine exported to China is set to benefit from zero-tariff access to the Chinese market. The agreement commences on 1 May 2026 and will last for an initial period of two years.

Pernod Ricard: US and China struggles drag down Q3 growth

Published: 16 April, 2026

French drinks giant Pernod Ricard has detailed its Q3 performance with a flat quarter (+0.1% organic sales growth) stymied by continued challenges in the Chinese and US markets. Excluding these two markets organic sales growth sat at +5%.

SWA appoints former government ambassador Ian Duddy as international director

Published: 15 April, 2026

The Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) has announced the appointment of former UK ambassador Ian Duddy (pictured) as its next international director.

California in crisis: Overproduction, market slump and tariff trouble

Published: 08 April, 2026

The faint smell of smoke in the air is all too familiar to those living in California’s wine regions, but lately the source will have been a vine pull rather than a wildfire, as producers grapple with a crisis being described as a reset. As the world’s fourth largest wine producer – after Italy, France and Spain – the Golden State accounts for more than 80% of US wine output and 95% of exports, with vines covering almost 250,000ha. The California Wine Institute estimates the industry generates $73bn (£55bn), employing 422,000 people.

Paris panel: The tariff rollercoaster

Published: 09 March, 2026

“This is not about UK vs EU vs US – it is industry vs government.” So said the typically measured Miles Beale, chief executive of the UK’s Wine & Spirit Trade Association, speaking on a panel entitled Tariffs: The Spirits Industry Under Pressure at Wine Paris.

Tariff update: Uncertainty for domestic wine and spirits producers

Published: 23 February, 2026

Following the striking down of Trump’s tariff regime by the Supreme Court, the US president announced on Saturday (21 February) that he would introduce a global tariff rate of 15%. This could provide yet another headache for UK drinks exporters who may see duties on products travelling across the pond rise.

Pernod Ricard sees H1 sales slump amid challenging market

Published: 19 February, 2026

French drinks heavyweight Pernod Ricard saw a 5.9% decline in organic sales to €5.25bn in the first half of its financial year. Declines were most concerning in the US and Chinese markets, falling 15% and 28%, respectively.

Scotch takes 15% sales hit since Trump tariff implementation

Published: 13 February, 2026

New figures from the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) have detailed the impact of US tariffs on Scotch sales across the pond. According to research, export volume sales to the States since April have fallen 15%, with value taking a 7% knock.

One-in-five Scotch distilleries in financial distress

Published: 11 February, 2026

New research from financial advisory firm BTG can reveal that 69 distillers in Scotland – almost 20% of the total – are facing financial distress.

'Good progress' on whisky after Starmer meets Xi

Published: 29 January, 2026

As reported by the BBC, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that him and Chinese President Xi Jinping have made “really good progress on tariffs for whisky” after a meeting in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

Wine Paris puts governments in sights as show hits new high

Published: 05 December, 2025

With record numbers of exhibitors signed up and record numbers of attendees also predicted to attend, Wine Paris has evolved its content for this year’s event to send a clear message on unfavourable government policies.

DISCUS reports sharp drop in US spirits exports to the UK

Published: 07 October, 2025

US spirits exports to the UK fell 29% in the second quarter of 2025, dropping to $26.9m, according to the American Distilled Spirits Exports 2025 Mid-Year Report (ADSE).

New Zealand Winegrowers releases 2025 report

Published: 29 September, 2025

New Zealand Winegrowers, the national organisation for the country’s wine industry, has released its Annual Report 2025.

Despite tariff uncertainty, Scotch battles on

Published: 10 September, 2025

Establishing a lay of the land for our new tariff world order is an unenviable task. For much of the planet the final tariff landscape is yet to take a solid form. For UK wine and spirits producers, however, there appears for now to be a clearer picture of how their drinks will be levied entering the United States.

Pernod Ricard: Sales fall amid tariff and travel retail woes

Published: 28 August, 2025

French drinks giant Pernod Ricard has announced its results for the 2025 financial year. Amid a suite of macroeconomic challenges, the multinational saw an overall -3% drop in organic global sales.

Tariffs: Joint statement confirms 15% US levy on EU producers

Published: 22 August, 2025

The United States-European Union Joint Statement announced by EU trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič has confirmed a 15% tariff on European goods exported across the pond.

Tariffs: $25bn impact on US wine while France seeks spirits exemption

Published: 30 July, 2025

Recent analysis from Unione Italiana Vini (UIV), drawing from research by WineAmerica, has revealed that the recently announced 15% tariff on European wine imports will cost the US upwards of $25bn.

Australia: Wine exports to China stabilise with other markets down

Published: 29 July, 2025

A new export report from Wine Australia shows that after an initial surge in sales after Chinese tariffs on Australian wine ended last year, Aussie wine sales to China have begun to stabilise.

Italian wine braces for €317mn loss despite tariff deal

Published: 28 July, 2025

Projections from Unione Italiana Vini (UIV) show that the Italian wine sector could lose over €317mn over the next 12 months due to the 15% tariff on EU exports to the US.