Polish vodka exports down

Polish vodka producers saw a decline in exports of 9 percent in H1 y/y. "The sector is still recovering after excise tax on spirits grew by 15 percent last year. Investment outlays fell by 40 percent," said Leszek Wiwała, head of sector organization Polski Przemysł Spirytusowy. Additionally, the blow for Polish exporters came from Hungary, which has introduced a so called "health tax" on alcoholic beverages, excluding local drinks. Unit last year, Hungary was the third biggest importer of Polish vodka. After six months of this year, exports  to Hungary have fallen by 56 percent y/y. Poland is the biggest vodka producer in Europe and the fourth biggest in the world.