The global demand for spirits is forecast to slow down over the next few years, with whisky overtaking vodka to become the second-largest category.

According to a new report by wine & spirits analysts IWSR, global volumes will top the 3.2bn-case mark by 2020, up from just under 3.1bn cases in 2014. That would indicate an annual growth rate of 0.6%, considerably below the 3.6% growth seen in the 2009-2014. 

IWSR said the growth will be driven by demand from Asia, particularly in China and India, the two largest spirits market in the world (620m cases and 290m cases annually, respectively). It also said it expects volumes and values to grow in mature markets, such as the UK and the US. 

Volumes of whisky are expected to grow by 3.8% by 2020, helping it overtake vodka for the second-ranked spot. Meanwhile, tequila is forecast to grow by 2.9% in the same period.

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