Australian wine exports reached $2.56 billion during 2017, the highest annual growth rate since 2004, according to Wine Australia’s Export Report.
Australian wine exports increased by 15 per cent in the 2017 calendar year, and it was also a record-breaking year for volume, with exports growing by 8 per cent to 811 million litres.
Wine Australia CEO Andreas Clark said the sector also achieved a 7 per cent increase in average value per litre to $3.16, the highest level since 2009.
"Growing demand for premium Australian wine, particularly in Northeast Asia, increased the value of bottled wine exports by 17 per cent to $2.1 billion, while the average price per litre for bottled wine grew by three per cent to a record $5.63," Clark said.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Anne Ruston said, “Australians have long known that Australian wine is second to none. It’s wonderful to see our wine industry reinvigorate its exporting efforts to make sure the world knows it too."
High production levels have matched sales growth, according to another Wine Australia report: Australian wine: production sales and inventory 2016–17. The 2017 vintage was the second year of historically high production, with a grape crush of 1.98 million tonnes, 8 per cent higher than in 2016.
More Export Report findings follow:
- Wine exported in bulk experienced price increases, with total value increasing by 10 per cent to $440 million, and average value per litre increased by 6 per cent to $1.03, the highest average value since 2012
- Exports of wines priced above $10 per litre grew by 29 per cent to a record $738 million
- Exports to Northeast Asia were the growth driver with exports increasing by 47 per cent to over $1 billion for the first time
- Exports to mainland China increased by 63 per cent to $848 million and volume by 54 per cent to 153 million litres. The average price increased by 6 per cent to $5.55 per litre FOB
- Exports to mainland China grew across all price points, from entry level/commercial wines through to Australia’s finest wines.
- Exports also grew to: Europe by 1 per cent to $576 million; Southeast Asia by 2 per cent to $165 million; and Oceania by 8 per cent to $94 million
- Exports to North America decreased slightly by 2 per cent to $636 million, however, exports of wines to the US valued at $10 per litre or more (that sell for US$14 or more per bottle retail) increased by 8 per cent to $45 million.
- Premium wine exports to the US also grew. Off-trade sales figures from sector analyst IRI showed at US$11 or more per bottle, Australian sales grew by 32 per cent while the total sales in this segment increased by 7 per cent in the year ended September 2017.
