CANBERRA: The U.S. market’s Australian wine category saw growth heat up in the 12 months through June, with shipment value rising 8% to nearly A$450 million ($342m). That performance marked an acceleration from a rate of 4% in the 12 months through March. Australia’s solid value growth was led by a robust premiumization trend, as shipments to the U.S. priced above A$10 a liter FOB ($7.60) advanced by 16%.
The weaker Australian dollar, which has slid by about a quarter against the U.S. dollar since 2013, has also helped boost the category. Meanwhile, Aussie exports to China surged 50% by value over the same period, while Canada (+7%) and Hong Kong (+11%) both rose steadily and the U.K. remained flat.
