China's rising taste for a tipple has helped drive Australian wine export values up 20 per cent to $2.76 billion in 2017-18, according to a newly released report.
Export volumes are also up 10 per cent to 852 million litres, which sets a new record, according to Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Senator Anne Ruston.
Australia was seeing the highest rate of growth in the value of wine exports in 15 years, according to the mininster, who welcomed the findings of the Wine Australia Export Report.
Minister Ruston said wine regions across Australia were benefiting from growing export opportunities.
“Australia’s free trade agreements are also opening up new market opportunities for our wines.
“The market in China is continuing to expand with the value of wine exports up 55 per cent to $1.12 billion and volume up 47 per cent in the year to June 2018.”
“The fact that both value and volumes of wine exports are at record levels, with values growing at twice the rate of volumes, shows that our international customers value our quality wines,” the minister said.
“From grape growers to winemakers, there has never been so much support from an Australian Government with the Coalition’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package really starting to pay dividends."
