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Exports of Bordeaux wines to China have leapt in recent months, although the fallout from the European Union referendum has hit shipments to the UK, recent figures have shown.
Bordeaux saw its wine exports to China perform well in the year to the end of June
In results released earlier this week, the region's Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux (CIVB) reported a 22% jump in shipments to China in the 12 months to the end of June, coming in at 502,000 hectolitres. However, exports to the UK in the same period slipped by 6% to 174,000 hectolitres.
The trade association highlighted the weakening of the British Pound relative to the Euro since the UK voted in favour of leaving the EU, at the end of June.
The EU Referendum - The UK's departure and its consequences for the drinks industry
"China has returned to its highest level (for Bordeaux exports) ... affirming its leading position in terms of volume and value," the CIVB said.
Allan Sichel. the association's president, noted that while strong growth in China had been the stand-out feature of the year, persistent decline in Bordeaux's principal markets in Europe was cause for concern. There were declines of 8% and 34% respectively in exports to Belgium and Germany, with the heavy fall in Germany due to the previous year's volumes being boosted by sizeable purchases by an unidentified 'discounter'.
Sichel also highlighted a "stabilisation" in exports to two other main markets for Bordeaux wines, the US and Japan.
Globally, Bordeaux exports in the 12-month period were down 3% in volumes on a year ago to 2m hectolitres (267m bottles) and dropped 5% in value to EUR1.7bn (US$1.91bn).
Sectors: Emerging markets – BRIC, Wine
