FRANCE: Strong growth in vodka continues

By Stuart Todd | 9 October 2006

Vodka sales in France have outstripped other white spirits in the last year, according to the latest industry figures.

Data from the Fédération Française des Spiritueux (FFS) has shown that vodka sales in supermarkets and hypermarkets leapt 16.6% in volume and 15.3% in value in the past 12 months.

"This is in keeping with the double-digit growth posted over the past two to three years," a spokesman for the FFS told just-drinks. "The fact that vodka remains a very small segment of the market as a whole means there is every prospect the high-growth trend will continue."

The spokesman said the increasing popularity of vodka in France is driven by demand for cocktails. He added: "The significance of the figures from the hypermarkets and supermarkets is that vodka is emerging as a drink for home consumption."

Global sales of French spirits were flat over the 12 months to September, rising by 1.5% in volume and 1.7% in value.

Sectors: Spirits