The value of Australian wine exports rose eight per cent in the year to 30 September 2015 to A$1.96 billion, the strongest rate of growth since 2007.
In a sign of much needed improvement in profitability for Australian wine, the rate of value growth is currently outpacing volume which increased 5 per cent to 734 million litres, according to the Export Report September 2015 released by Wine Australia.
Wine Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark said: “These export results are unambiguously good news for our grape and wine community. “
This pattern of growth was seen across many of the premium price segments, according to Wine Australia.
Exports of Australia’s highest-priced wines (above A$50/litre) rose 54 per cent to a record A$133 million. While the segment accounts for only 0.2 per cent of total exports, it’s worth 7 per cent of total value.
Clark said the figures indicated that Wine Australia’s long-term strategic focus on Australia’s distinctive fine wine offering was being embraced by our winemakers and global customers.
‘We’re seeing the strongest rates of growth in our premium price segments. Wines above A$10 per litre grew in value 28 per cent to A$426 million, a record for this segment. Wines in the A$20-$50 segment increased 13 per cent to A$88 million.’
The average value of bottled exports also increased 4 per cent to A$5 per litre. In contrast, the average value of bulk exports continued to fall, down 4 per cent.
Australia’s top five export countries by value were:
- US – down 4 per cent to A$428 million
- UK – down 2 per cent to A$370 million
- China – up 47 per cent to A$313 million
- Canada – up 4 per cent to A$189 million
- Hong Kong – up 24 per cent to A$118 million
