By Andy Young
Australia's wine exports have increased in both value and volume in the 12 months to end of March 2015 according to the Wine Export Approval Report March 2015, released by the Australian Grape and Wine Authority (AGWA).
Total wine export volume increased by 3.6 per cent to 711 million litres, despite a slight fall in Australia's wine production. The total value increased by 3.9 per cent to $1.85 billion, with the average value of exports remaining steady at $2.60 per litre.
AGWA's chief executive officer Andreas Clark said the figures reflected a growing demand for Australia's fine wines.
"Some of the strongest growth is seen in the premium price segments and we’ll be continuing to champion Australia’s finest wines in our global marketing activities," Clark said.
"While the above $7.50 price segment accounts for just five per cent of total export volume, the value share is considerably higher at 27 per cent.
"There are a number of factors that have contributed to the growth we've seen in the last 12 months. Certainly the depreciating dollar has an effect but we're also reaping benefits from the commencement of the Japanese free trade agreement, a rebound in the Chinese market from their austerity measures and improved economic conditions in two of our biggest export markets, the US and the UK."
The UK remains Australia's biggest wine export market by volume increasing by two per cent to 251 million litres and valued at $371 million litres.
Although it is the European hub for bulk wine which is bottled in the UK, the premium price segments also experienced positive gains in the UK with the above $10.00 segment increasing by 46 per cent to 1.2 million litres.
Over the last 12 months, Australian wine was exported to 123 destinations by 1,385 exporters with the majority (890 exporters) again recording volume growth.