By Andy Young
The value and volume of Australian wine exports rose by five per cent in the 12 months to 30 June 2015, driven by the strength of the Asian market.
Australian wine exports grew to $1.89 billion according to the Wine Export Approval Report June 2015 (WEAR). This is the first time the value of wine exports has increased on a financial year basis since 2006–07.
Wine Australia’s Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark said: "The value of wine exports to Northeast Asia was up 29 per cent and Southeast Asia was up 18 per cent. We ship more than half of our exports above $7.50/litre to Asia and the average value of those exports is $18.49/litre compared to $12.29/litre in Europe and $11.54/litre in North America.
"This is the third consecutive financial year we've seen value growth in the above $7.50/litre price point, now worth $529 million. It accounts for 28 per cent of total value share but only 5 per cent of volume."
For the fifth consecutive year higher-priced wines also grew, up by 62 per cent to a record $123m.
Clark added: "Our two strategic priorities are increasing the demand and price paid for Australian wine, and increasing our competitiveness.
"We'll be expanding our program of activities in the critical US market including the introduction of a formal Market Entry Program and we'll continue to develop the export markets in Europe, China and Asia Pacific through activities that focus on Australia's finest wines."
Australia’s top five export countries by value were:
- US – down 7.9 per cent to $415 million
- UK – down 1.5 per cent to $369 million
- China – up 32.1 per cent to $280 million
- Canada – down 0.7 per cent to $182 million
- Hong Kong – up 28.4 per cent to $112 million
Over the last 12 months, Australian wine was exported to 122 destinations by 1,405 exporters with the majority (904 exporters) recording volume growth, a turnaround from the previous year when the majority of exporters recorded declines. The number of Australian wine products exported hit a record high of 17,731, up 8.4 per cent.
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