CANBERRA: Australian government data shows total wine exports to China rose 8 percent last year to 40 million litres, valued at A$224 million ($183.34 million). That’s a significant turnaround from 2013 when wine exports plunged 16 percent.
Australian wine exports to China rebounded last year as sales of cheaper wines gained traction, bucking a regional shift towards high-end tipples.
The revival was driven by sales of the low-value A$2.50-A$4.99 segment, following the introduction of tough austerity measures in China in late 2012. In contrast, Asia accounted for more than 90 percent of Australia’s ultra-premium wine exports -above A$50 a litre – according to data from the Australian Grape and Wine Authority published on Wednesday.
The Australian industry has placed its faith in premium wines, increasing production of high-end tipples as a global wine glut combined with reduced orders from major economies prompted the international market to shrink.
