China is key growth market for global prestige spirits

The IWSR Global Forecasts Report 2010-15 says Asia Pacific is forecasted to account for 27% (volume) of the super-premium and above spirits by 2015, 73% (volume) of all ultra-premium and above spirits and 80% of the prestige spirits segments in the next five years.

Rodolphe Paoli, managing director of Global Reserve at Diageo, told the drinks business: “Asia is undoubtedly the key growth region where China and Korea are valuable markets for ultra- and super-deluxe whiskies, but the Middle East, India and parts of South America are also growing strongly.