Australia: Wine exports at record high

Published May 7, 2007

WINE exports have set new value and volume records in the 12 months to the end of April.

Volume rose 12 per cent to 797 million litres and value grew six per cent to $2.94 billion, the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation said.

In the 12-month period, the United States overtook the United Kingdom as the most valuable export market - the US accepting some $963 million of Australian wine, compared to the UK at $958 million.

But the UK remained the main export market in volume terms, taking 35 per cent, or 275 million litres, of Australian wine exports compared to the US' 29 per cent, or 230 million litres.

The corporation's information and analysis manager, Lawrie Stanford, said China was a key contributor to the growth in both volume and value of exports.

"Volume (to China) grew 16 million litres to reach 25 million litres, while value grew $28 million to reach $46 million," Mr Stanford said.

He said of Australia's top 15 export markets, five countries - Singapore, the Netherlands, Ireland, Belgium and Norway - set new records for volume and value.