Gin exports from the UK have fallen for the second year in a row, according to the latest figures announced by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs (HMRC) today. Data from the UK tax department for 2021 shows the total value of UK gin shipments dropped by around GBP30m (US$40.5m) to GBP541.5m last year. This follows on from a GBP100m decline in 2020 on the year prior. The performance has been attributed by HMRC to COVID-related disruption and the UK's withdrawal from the European Union. Exports to the EU have fallen by more than a quarter since 2019, and made up GBP228m in 2021 - GBP88.5m lower than in 2019. Gin is particularly popular in Spain, Italy and Germany but exports to these countries were down last year by around GBP58m since 2019. Growth remained in several markets, however, with export sales in Latin America and non-EU countries in Europe rising. Nicholas Cook, director-general of The Gin Guild, a member-funded trade association, said: “The latest export data reflects the significant effects of the pandemic and Brexit on the gin industry. This affected all, but especially the smaller producers whose route-to-market was largely via local venues rather than through established retail and online sales. “Distillers, as with other UK exporters of goods and services, have also faced the increased logistical difficulties in exporting to the EU … plus issues securing and maintaining staffing levels given the exodus of many EU nationals.” Cook added: “Gin has been a major UK success story in recent years. I hope the renaissance of our industry has not peaked because of the self-inflicted loss of easy access to the EU market.” Supply Chain Special – Who will be the winners and losers in 2022? – Just Drinks focus