In this article, we are going to discuss the 20 countries that export the most vodka. You can skip our detailed analysis of the global vodka market, the most popular vodka brand in the world, the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war on the vodka market, and the recent acquisition in the vodka industry, and go directly to 5 Countries that Export the Most Vodka.
Vodka’s overall popularity is largely based on its versatility, as it can be mixed with almost anything in a cocktail and is really easy to add flavorings to. Also, since vodka does not require aging, it’s convenient to produce a large quantity of the highly sought-after spirit. Both Poland and Russia claim to be the first places to originate the highly sought-after tipple, however, historians agree that it originated somewhere around 1,400 AD in Northeastern Europe.
The Global Vodka Market:
Vodka is one of the Most Consumed Alcohols in the World. As we stated in our article – Top 20 Best Selling Vodka Brands in the World – the global vodka market was valued at $25.98 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $40.25 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period. This forecast is based on a report from Research and Markets.
Vodka-based RTD beverages are witnessing a huge increase in new product development, which is expected to drive the market. The all-natural flavored segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate, owing to the growing demand of premium flavored vodka, especially among the millennial population.
The Most Popular Vodka Brand in the World:
With a whopping 28.1 million 9-liter cases sold in 2022, Smirnoff is the Best-Selling Vodka Brand in the World. Founded in 1864, Smirnoff was the first vodka to use charcoal filtration in its distillation process.
The brand was acquired by International Distillers and Vintners in 1987, and thus passed to the subsequent owner, Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO). Although it had its origins in Moscow, Smirnoff is now produced in several countries, including the U.S., Canada, Italy, and others.
Last year, vodka suddenly found itself in the international spotlight following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The aggression has inevitably led to Western consumers, retailers, and governments banning and boycotting vodkas from Russia.
At the same time, Western vodka brands that have Russian sounding names, including the best-selling Smirnoff, were quick to point out that they aren’t actually from Russia. Smirnoff is instead owned by the spirits giant Diageo plc (NYSE:DEO).
Sales of several Ukrainian vodka brands have also been badly affected by the ongoing conflict, possibly due to the power outages and shelling, with several of them witnessing a double-digit decline in sales in 2022. However, with Russian vodkas still mostly absent from international shelves, several previously little-known Ukrainian brands are continuing to take their place.
Nemiroff is a popular Ukrainian vodka that had to close its main distillery for a month following the Russian invasion and saw its sales drop by a staggering 57.4% in 2022. However, the brand has proven to be resilient and is now witnessing a resurgence this year, including a two-fold increase in sales in the U.K.
Recent Acquisition in the Vodka Industry:
It was announced in June that the Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) had reached an agreement to sell its Finlandia vodka brand to Coca-Cola HBC AG for $220 million, with the sale closing in November. With 2.6 million 9L cases sold in 2022, Finlandia was among the best-selling brands in the Jack Daniel’s maker’s portfolio.
The popular vodka brand was acquired by Brown-Forman Corporation (NYSE:BF-B) from Altia Corp. in multiple phases, obtaining full ownership in 2004. Its sale was described as another step in the company's long-term strategic ambition to premiumise its portfolio through brand innovation, acquisition, and divestiture.
With that said, here are the Top Exporters of Vodka in 2023.
20 Countries that Export the Most Vodka
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Methodology:
To collect data for this article, we have referred to the UN Comtrade Database, looking for the Highest Exporters of Vodka in the World. The following countries have been ranked by the total value of their vodka exports (HS Code 220860) in 2022.
20. Estonia
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $9.51 million
Vodka has been produced in Estonia since the late 1700’s and represents an important part of the local culture. This cultural orientation of the liquor changed to commerce with the introduction of a ferry service between Helsinki and Tallinn in 1968, and the so-called ‘vodka tourism’ began to appear. Today, approximately 15% of the total alcohol consumed in Finland is purchased in Tallinn area stores.
Viru Valge Vodka is the most popular vodka brand in Estonia and is known worldwide for its taste and excellent quality.
19. Australia
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $11.85 million
Vodka in Australia is also following a trend seen in other markets around the world. Younger consumers aren’t interested in what their parents and grandparents drink, they’re moving away from dark spirits and opting instead for liquors that lend themselves to lighter, fresher cocktails.
Though The Land Down Under does not produce many big-name vodka products, its craft range is growing in popularity at home and abroad.
18. Austria
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $14.91 million
Austria offers all the raw materials needed for the production of vodka, since potatoes and grain are available in abundance in the country, as well as pure spring water from the Austrian mountains.
More than 30 distilleries produce vodka in Austria and some of the popular brands include Edelweiss, NEFT, and OVAL etc.
Vodka was the most consumed spirit in Canada in 2021 and 61.1% of drinking-age Canadians indicated having had the beverage during the year. Made entirely with water from the icebergs in Newfoundland, Iceberg Vodka is a popular brand in the country.
The United States is the largest market for Canadian vodka, accounting for over 80% of the country’s total vodka exports.
16. United Arab Emirates
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $20.92 million
The UAE has undergone a spectacular transformation in recent years, turning into a major international center for trade, travel, and entertainment. A cosmopolitan population and a thriving tourism sector have increased demand for luxury spirits, particularly vodka.
The UAE exports most of its vodka to India, Sri Lanka, and Kenya.
15. Lithuania
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $21.54 million
Lithuania’s best known alcoholic product is its vodka, which is understandable considering the country was once a part of the Russian Empire and then the Soviet Union. There is a healthy domestic market for the popular spirit in the Baltic state, and a small number of brands are also exported. Lithuanian Vodka is a popular brand from the country.
Spain is better known for its fine wines, but some high-quality vodkas are also now being produced in the sunny Southwestern European country. Although the Spanish offerings do not have a deep-rooted tradition like vodka from other countries, several brands have begun to experiment with flavors and innovative production techniques to differentiate themselves in a competitive market. Handcrafted from unique Spanish tempranillo grapes, cereals, and pure water, R.I.P. is a pure, handcrafted 100% unfiltered vodka that fully captures the essence and unique taste of local raw materials.
13. Singapore
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $26.43 million
The port of Singapore is the second-busiest in the world, and considered the hub of entrep?t trade and a gateway to other Asian markets. The country imports a large amount of wine and spirits, which are then re-exported mainly to Japan, Hong Kong, Australia, China, Thailand, and Malaysia.
Singapore is the Country that Exports the Most Vodka in Asia.
12. Belgium
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $30.4 million
Belgium is known for its rich beer culture but the country has also developed into a top market for vodka, with the average Belgian consuming about 0.94 shots of the spirit every month.
OBEY is a premium vodka brand in the Western European country.
Belgium sits among Countries that Sell the Most Vodka.
11. Ukraine
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $43.49 million
When Russia invaded Ukraine last year its vodkas were quickly removed from shelves around the world, giving an opportunity to rival Ukrainian brands to take their place. Changing their vodka-purchasing habits has been a popular way for Westerners to side with Ukraine in the ongoing war.
10. Finland
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $68.47 million
Vodka is perhaps Finland’s national drink, with Finlandia being the best-known brand. The popular vodka is distributed in 135 countries worldwide and is widely associated with Finland on the international market.
The Nordic country exports most of its vodka to Moldova, India, and Russia.
9. United Kingdom
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $74.7 million
Although the UK is popular for its alluring whiskies, it has also emerged as one of the Top Vodka Exporting Countries recently.
Vodka has long been a staple in the UK's drinking culture, with its versatile and clean taste making it a go-to choice for cocktails and mixed drinks. Britain was the world’s leading importer of Russian vodka in 2020, but the war is forcing the Brits to change their habits. The Treasury described that its 35% tariff on the spirit is aimed to ‘cause maximum harm to Putin’s war machine’.
With over $9.5 billion of spirits exports last year, the UK ranks among the Top 10 Leading Countries in Exports of Hard Liquor.
8. Germany
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $88.88 million
German vodka embodies the precision and care characteristic of German craftsmanship and is a burgeoning segment of the spirits market, gaining recognition for its quality and unique attributes.
Kleiner Feigling is a top vodka brand from the European nation.
7. Latvia
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $98.12 million
Latvia is home to one of the Highest Quality Vodka Brands in the World. Due to the geopolitical tensions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Stolichnaya Vodka has officially changed its name to ‘Stoli’ outside of Russia. Stoli is produced in Latvia by the Luxembourg-based Stoli Group, controlled by the exiled Russian billionaire Yuri Shefler.
Altogether, more than 35 million bottles of Stoli are sold worldwide every year, with the biggest markets being the U.S., Canada, Chile, Austria, Greece, Israel, and Lebanon.
6. Italy
Total Vodka Exports in 2022: $121.87 million
Italy is among the countries where the best-selling vodka brand, Smirnoff, is produced and then distributed to 130 markets worldwide. Several locally produced vodka brands have also emerged in the Bel Paese recently, including Roberto Cavalli and VOGA.
Italy is among the Countries that Export the Most Vodka in Europe.