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Spanish bars could run out of whisky, gin, vodka and rum due to international transport issues, industry leaders have warned. 

The Mediterranean country is experiencing a supply shortage of spirits amid rising transport costs as well as costs of raw materials such as glass and cardboard, according to local media.

Hundreds of bars, pubs and nightclubs in Spain, a holiday favourite for Brits during the summer, are said to already be reporting shortages after Covid restrictions on the hospitality sector were eased.

Spanish bars could run out of whisky, gin, vodka and rum due to international transport issues, industry leaders have warned (stock image)

The problem also affects the export sales of Spanish spirits manufacturers, who ship 40 per cent of their production abroad. However, supplies of wine and beer are not expected to be disrupted.

Bosco Torremocha, the executive director of the Spanish Spirits Association, admitted: 'We do not foresee to recover the sales levels of 2019 until the end of next year or the beginning of 2023.'

Asked about his forecast for the Christmas season, he added: 'I cannot think about the campaign for the end of the year.

The Mediterranean country is experiencing a supply shortage of spirits amid rising transport costs as well as costs of raw materials such as glass and cardboard, according to local media (stock image)

'As a representative of the sector I am focused right now on tomorrow, on how to solve this crisis as soon as possible.' 

It follows a coalition of unions that represent shipping workers around the world warning of an imminent 'global transport systems collapse' due to lingering impacts from the Covid pandemic.

In an open letter in September, the workers groups warned that fragmented and inconsistent pandemic restrictions around the world have thrown global shipping into chaos.