FRANCE: Weak exports drag Champagne down in '09 - figures
By Stuart Todd | 8 February 2010
Champagne sales fell by 9% to 293.3m bottles in 2009, as a stable performance in France failed to offset weaker demand in export markets, show official figures from trade body Comité Interprofessionnel des Vins de Champagne (CIVC).
Value sales fell 17% for the 12 months, compared to 2008, CIVC said today (8 February).
Around 181m bottles were sold in France, equal to a year ago, but exports to EU countries fell 17.4 % to 70.6m bottles, with the most marked declines in the UK, Italy and Spain.
Exports to the rest of the world slumped by 25.1% to 41.7m bottles. The US and Japan reported significant declines, while Russia, China, India and Brazil did not deliver the growth hoped for.
However, the CIVC said that industry leaders believe the sector is poised for recovery in 2010.
CIVC reported 6% rises in global volume sales in the final two months of 2009.
Sectors: Wine
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FRANCE: Weak exports drag Champagne down in '09 - figures
8 Feb 2010 -
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The fall in Champagne exports to Japan might be explained by the simple reason that Champagne's set retail prices are too high for the current economy. Ten years ago, prices varied by shop. Champagne at a local wine shop cost 2,500 yen, while the same Champagne at a department store was between 4,500 to 8,000 yen. Recently, department store sales are down (or going bankrupt) as Japanese consumers discover big box stores like Costco and Outlet stores. The opening of family friendly suburban indoor malls has less people shopping in big cities. More consumers are buying their wines at supermarkets. Yet even at Costco, Champagne prices are still high. During the holidays, sparkling wines from France, Spain, Italy, the U.S. and Australia within the 1,200 to 2,500 yen price point were selling well. Around 85% of wine consumers in Japan are women. They still like to start off a restaurant meal or celebration with sparkling wine. It is just a more affordable sparkler.
Best,
Sandra Shoji
Sandra Shoji said at 12:11 am, February 9, 2010
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