A global decline in wine consumption has contributed to Australian wine exports declining by 11% in value to $1.79 billion and 4% in volume to 604 million litres in the year ending September 2023.

According to Wine Australia’s latest Export Report this performance was well below long-term averages, with commercial wines (less than US$10 per bottle) particularly hard hit.

Wine Australia said cost-of living pressures are also slowing down the longer-term global premiumisation trend, as some consumers are moderating alcohol consumption as a cost-saving strategy.

The United Kingdom (UK) and Canada were big contributors to the decline in volume in the latest quarter. Wine Australia said this performance reflected the broad economic challenges for wine sales in the UK, such as inflation and increasing taxes and duties on alcohol. Likewise, heightened levels of unpackaged shipments to Canada in recent times are showing signs of stabilising, while packaged volumes continued their decline.

Wine Australia Manager, Market Insights Peter Bailey said that the total value of Australian wine exports has been on a downward trajectory since peaking at $3.1 billion in the 12 months ended October 2020.

“Over the past 12 months, the United States of America (US) was a major contributor to the overall drop in value, along with Canada, and the UK. Growth to Hong Kong offset some of this decline,” he said.

“However, despite this decline over the past year, there were some positive signs in the US this past quarter, with exports growing by 8 per cent in value in comparison to the same quarter in 2022.”

The number of Australian wine exporters also increased to 1247 in the year ended September 2023, with 98 more companies exporting than the previous year. The market that experienced the highest growth in the number of exporters among the top markets was Hong Kong, followed by Thailand and Vietnam.

There were mixed results across the Asian region, including a decline in Australian wine exports to Singapore and an increase in exports to Hong Kong, two key trading hubs in the region, reflecting volatile market conditions at present. Key emerging markets such as Thailand and Philippines grew in value during this period.

Wine Australia welcomes China tariff review

The announcement that China has agreed to undertake an expedited review of its import duties on Australian wine is obviously a welcome step for grapegrowers and winemakers across the country. ‘

Australian Grape & Wine CEO Lee McLean said earlier this week that the industry welcomed the announcement.

“It has been a very difficult time for Australia’s grape growers and wine producers in recent years following the loss of China as our major trading partner, the global pandemic and various weather events, so this is very welcome news for grape growers and winemakers across the country,” he said.

Wine Australia said it will continue to work closely with the Australian Government and Australian Grape & Wine to support this process in any way it can.

The top five markets by value in the year ending September 2023

• US (down 11 per cent to $366 million. 20 per cent share of total export value)
• UK (down 10 per cent to $354 million. 20 per cent share of total export value)
• Hong Kong (up 26 per cent to $205 million. 11 per cent share of total export value)
• Canada (down 22 per cent to $148 million. 8 per cent share of total export value), and
• Singapore (down 12 per cent to $117 million. 7 per cent share of total export value).

The top five markets by volume

• UK (down 3 per cent to 215 million litres. 36 per cent share of total export volume)
• US (down 4 per cent to 134 million litres. 22 per cent share of total export volume)
• Canada (up 20 per cent to 74 million litres. 12 per cent share of total export volume)
• New Zealand (down 3 per cent to 31 million litres. 5 per cent share of total export volume), and
• Germany (down 9 per cent to 28 million litres. 5 per cent share of total export volume).