The Drinks Business reports that provisional HM Revenue & Customs figures show UK Alcohol Duty receipts are down 4% year on year in the 2025 to 2026 financial year to date, totalling £7,010 million, £285 million less than the same period last year, despite repeated duty upratings and ahead of a further RPI linked increase from February 2026. Most categories are lower, wine and other fermented products are down £100 million to £2.58 billion, spirits show the sharpest drop, down £156 million to £2.15 billion, and beer is down £59 million to £2.09 billion, while cider rises £30 million to £175 million but remains a small share of annual receipts.
UK
-
UK Exporters Face Fresh Uncertainty After Proposed US Tariff Change
Harpers reports that, after the US Supreme Court struck down Trump’s earlier tariff regime, the president announced plans for a 15% global tariff rate, a move that could raise duties on some UK drinks exports to the US. The article highlights analysis suggesting UK exports could see an average tariff rise of 2.1%, and includes comments from WineGB’s chief executive warning that higher costs would ultimately be borne by consumers, potentially slowing strong recent export growth for English and Welsh wine.
-
Ridgeview Acquired by Quantum Beverage Led Consortium
Harpers Wine & Spirit Trade News reports that Ridgeview Wine Estate has been acquired by QBRidge Ltd, an investor consortium led by Quantum Beverage Co, with Gregg Ainsworth appointed CEO and Allan Beattie becoming CFO, while long time CEO Tamara Roberts steps down and head winemaker Simon Roberts stays on. Insider Media and FRP Advisory add that the Sussex producer, founded in 1995 and based in Ditchling, was sold out of administration after financial pressures, the sale completed on 11 February, all staff transferred, and the new owners have promised business as usual for customers and suppliers.
-
UK Off Trade Wine Outlook, Premium Holds Up As Volumes Slide
Drinks Retailing reports that UK off trade wine value is down 1.8% with units down 4.2% despite higher average prices, with sparkling outperforming still and red hit hardest, while a Freixenet Copestick executive says wines priced £7 and above are proving more resilient than sub £7 options, crémant and English sparkling are among the fastest growing areas, and alcohol free wine and canned wine are expanding quickly, even as further duty increases in February 2026 are expected to keep overall value drifting lower.
-
Portugal Targets Britain as Its Top Export Market Over the Next Decade
Harpers reports that Wines of Portugal wants to make the UK its number one export market within ten years, calling it one of the world’s most influential and competitive wine markets, and putting it at the centre of its long term growth ambitions. The organisation says the market currently ranks fourth by export value, at €31.8m in the first half of 2025, and is tying the push to a wider goal of €1.2bn in total export value by 2030.