October 9, 2025: Circana data on alcohol consumption and other news…
Alcohol consumption and dining out trends in the EU, US spirits exports, company news, Mexican GI and tourism, green CO2 from rum in La Réunion and more...
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Hello from Charente!
I’m checking the news before starting the second day of my trip into the Cognac region.
Today we have a new data report by Circana, which largely confirms what we already know about alcohol consumption trends. Hopefully, some of the details here can help industry players strategise, rather than just fuel concern.
After that, we’ll move on to other news from across the globe. Let’s dive in.
Circana: 71% of Europeans are reducing alcohol consumption
According to a report by the data research agency Circana, 71% of consumers in Europe are either buying, stocking, or consuming less alcohol, and one-quarter of young people aged between 25 and 35 have stopped buying alcohol altogether.
The total beverage category reached €166 billion (23% of total edible demand) across the EU’s largest markets (France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, UK), with overall sales growing by 2.1% year-on-year. However, alcoholic beverages saw a 1.8% decrease in value sales to €68 billion, while non-alcoholic beverages grew by 5.1% to €97 billion, with soft drinks, functional blends, and no/low-alcohol choices all on the rise.
You can read more details on Circana website:
Circana: dining out in Europe is being reshaped
I thought you might also be interested in some data about the foodservice sector. Alcohol consumption isn’t the only evolving trend; there is also a wider social trend involving people’s new life patterns which is reshaping foodservice into a more fragmented and dynamic market.
According to Circana’s data, collected across the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, expenditure on solo dining surged by 153% between 2010 and 2019, and now accounts for 15.6% of all full-service restaurant visits. Urban lifestyles and hybrid working are playing an important role in this; just consider that 54% of UK adults now work from home part-time (the highest rate in the EU). Meanwhile, dining driven by social occasions is also on the rise, accounting for 31% of all eating-out visits, but value is a driving factor. Furthermore, food delivery is confirming its position since the pandemic, now accounting for 3.7% of all foodservice visits.
You can read more details on Circana website:
Table for one: dining alone rises as 1 in 6 full-service restaurant visits go solo, Circana reports
US exports
US spirits exports plunged 85% to Canada in Q2
According to the “American Distilled Spirits Exports 2025 Mid-Year Report” by the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (Discus), exports of American spirits fell 9% to $593.6 million in Q2 2025. Canada suffered the largest drop, plummeting 85% to just $9.6 million, falling below $10 million for the first time.
Canada, which imported $221 million worth of US spirits in 2024 (making it the second-largest export market), continues to ban American spirits from retail shelves despite the removal of retaliatory tariffs on September 1st. US spirits exports also declined to the EU (down 12%), the UK (down 25%), and Japan (down 23%), with double-digit drops across categories including American whiskey, vodka, and brandy.
You can read DICUS’s press release directly on their website:
Uncle Nearest could sell Cognac assets
The court-appointed receiver for Uncle Nearest is investigating the sale of non-income-producing assets, including its Cognac vineyard Domaine Saint Martin in France, following the company’s $100 million loan default. Receiver Phillip G Young Jr is evaluating properties in Cognac, Martha’s Vineyard, and Tennessee for potential liquidation.
Article by Lauren Bowes in The Spirits Business:
Brown-Forman plans US$400m share buyback
Brown-Forman has announced plans to repurchase up to $400 million of its own shares over the next year, a move the company frames as confidence in its long-term prospects. The Jack Daniel’s and Woodford Reserve producer has seen its share value drop by a third this year amid slumping bourbon demand, consumer resistance to price rises, and trade tensions, including Canadian boycotts that cut sales to its largest export market by more than half.
Article by Ron Emler in The Drinks Business:
Brown-Forman could bet on US$400m share buyback to restore investor faith
Ontario premier threatens removing Diageo’s Crown Royal from LCBO stores
Ontario Premier Doug Ford has threatened to remove Diageo’s Crown Royal whisky from all Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) stores if the company proceeds with its planned February 2026 closure of the Amherstburg bottling facility in the province, as announced in August. The premier questioned Diageo’s business logic, noting that the LCBO generates over $765 million in annual sales—more than any other jurisdiction in North America—while Diageo only aims to save $8 million in wages.
Henry Mathieu is reporting the news in Global Drinks Intel:
Ontario premier warns Diageo of province-wide ban of Crown Royal
Mexico
IMPI accelerates geographical indications to strengthen exports
The Mexican government, through the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (IMPI), is accelerating the registration process for Denominations of Origin for 15 products in order to boost their exports. The aim is to add value to national products by recognising their unique and intrinsic value globally. Mexico currently has 18 Denominations of Origin, including tequila, mezcal, talavera, Chiapas amber, bacanora, and coffees from Veracruz, Puebla, and Chiapas. The 15 geographical indications undergoing registration include artisanal and agri-food goods such as the Lele doll, cecina from Yecapixtla, spheres from Chignahuahuapan, and Mayan chicle.
Giselle Soriano is writing about this topic for Milenio:
IMPI acelera indicaciones geográficas para fortalecer exportaciones del país
Jalisco is promoting tourism in the European market
The Mexican state of Jalisco is seeking to strengthen its presence as a destination in the European tourism market. A couple of weeks ago, the Secretary of Tourism, Michelle Fridman Hirsch, took part in IFTM Top Resa 2025 and held over 100 working meetings with key players in the industry.
Samantha Lamas is reporting the news in La Cronica:
Jalisco consolidates its presence in European tourism after IFTM Top Resa 2025
La Réunion
Réunion distillery turns rum production into green CO₂ source for food industry
The Rivière du Mât Distillery in Réunion is launching an innovative project to capture and purify the carbon dioxide naturally released during rum fermentation for use in the agri-food sector. The process involves trapping, storing, and purifying the CO₂ that currently escapes during fermentation, then making it available for use in carbonated beverages, food preservation, and freezing applications. The investment is worth over €6 million, with approximately 50% funded by public authorities.
Philippe Madubost is interviewing Teddy Boyer, director of the Rivière du Mât distillery for Zinfos974:
That’s all for today, I’ll see you in the next days, between one trip and another ;)
Cheers!