just the Facts – Wine Exports Winners and Losers

The global wine industry continues to face the ravages of the economic downturn, as well as tough currency swings and regulatory issues in key markets. Here, courtesy of Rabobank, just-drinks brings you export figures for the leading producer nations.

All export figures are for the six months to the end of June and value changes are in local currencies, unless otherwise stated.

• The US is the standout performer. Volume sales rose by a respectable 6%, with value exports up by 22% over the six months.

• France experienced something of rebound in fortunes over the half-year, with exports up by 41% in volume and 22% in value. However, the gaping hole between volume and value momentum suggests that French wines remain subject to fierce discounting and that pricing remains a significant problem.

• Spain looks to be in the same boat, albeit with less overall momentum than France. Spanish wine exports rose by 17.4% in volume and by 6% in value for the seven months to the end of July, compared with the same period of last year.

• Italy reported more balance between volume and value. Exports rose by 6% in volume and 8.6% in value for the half-year.

• Back to the New World, Argentina increased the value of wine exports by 18% for the seven months to the end of July, although volume exports declined by 6%.

• Nearby Chile looks to have had a fairly solid period, with volume exports up by 13% and value exports up by nearly 14% for the eight months to the end of August.

• It is over in Oceania where the biggest problems lie. Australia managed to increase volume exports by 3%, which should go a little way to helping the country to alleviate its surplus. However, exports fell by almost 9% in value, making Australia the only producer nation in Rabobank’s list to report a fall in the value of exports.

• Things are a little better in New Zealand. It saw exports rise by 18% in volume, although the ongoing wine surplus in the country continued to hold down prices. Exports were up in the period by only 6% in value.

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