Officially, this step is explained by the need to modernize the enterprise, but independent experts and industry representatives link this decision to the consequences of Donald Trump's trade wars.
Photo: John Lamparski / Getty Images for NYCWFF
As reported by the BBC, the company that produces the world-famous bourbon announced that its main production site in Kentucky (USA) will be mothballed for the entire next year. Management states that it constantly analyzes the market so that the production volumes of the drink correspond to real demand, and during recent meetings with the team, production plans for 2026 have already been determined.
At the same time, industry experts and representatives of the Kentucky Distillers' Association (KDA) see Donald Trump's trade policy as one of the main reasons for this step. Following his April statement about the so-called "Liberation Day," which led to the introduction of tariffs for most countries worldwide, American alcohol producers faced mirror import taxes on their goods.
For example, due to trade disputes, most Canadian provinces announced a boycott of American spirits. The Kentucky Distillers' Association notes that the large-scale expansion of capacities over the past decade was based precisely on global growth plans, which is why the industry urgently needs a return to mutual duty-free trade.
This situation has led to a critical oversupply in warehouses across the state. According to KDA data, more than 16 million barrels of bourbon have now accumulated in Kentucky warehouses — an absolute record. Due to local taxes levied on each barrel, the total losses for all producers in the region this year have already amounted to $75 million.
Jim Beam's management assured that it is currently negotiating with the workers' union. The company is looking for ways to engage staff (more than 1,000 people in the state) during the production pause to minimize social consequences for the team.
Reportedly, other brand facilities in the state, including an auxiliary distillery, bottling plants, and warehousing complexes, will continue to operate as usual. The visitor tourist center will also remain open.
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А калі ён даражэе да ўзроўню еўрапейскага і японскага - хто гэты кукурузны шмурдзяк будзе піць.
Дзятлаўскі завод можа захопліваць нішу.