The illegal production of counterfeit wine and spirits hits Spain more than any other country in the EU.
Fake products deny local producers each year some €90 million in wine sales and about €173 million for alcoholic drinks, according to the EU Intellectual Property Office’s annual report, released on Tuesday.
Sales of counterfeit drinks also impact on legitimate jobs and tax revenues such as VAT and social security contributions.
Italy, Germany and France also saw sales diminished by fake booze while the UK’s losses, estimated at €87 million, were below the EU average.
Spain, France and Italy are Europe’s three main producers of wine. Together they account for 80% of all production in the EU.
Between 2008 and 2013, sales of alcoholic beverages in Europe accounted for €22 billion annually. The study estimates the total losses in the EU due to counterfeit drinks are as much as €1.3 billion every year, representing 3% of all sales.
Exports to non-EU countries reached €8 billion, compared with €1 billion in imports.
