CANBERRRA: Overall, the value of Australian wine exports climbed 14% to AUS$2.1 billion in 2015, reaching its highest value since October 2007. Wine Australia CEO, Andreas Clark said: “Pleasingly, our latest Export Report shows that the value of Australian wine exports grew in each of the top 15 export markets in the year ended 31 December 2015.
“This export growth should be warmly welcomed by the Australian grape growing and winemaking community as it is largely a result of their hard work. “‘Our global team is committed to working with wine businesses to capture export opportunities and we encourage businesses to contact us to discuss how we can assist them.’
Bottled exports increased by 17% to AUS$1.6 billion and the average value increased by 7% to AUS$5.20 per litre representing 1,517 exporters in 2015 (up from 1,395 in 2014) to 122 destinations.
The strongest growth was seen in China which grew 66% to AUS$370 million. Hong Kong was also the fifth largest market and increased 22% to AUS$132 million. The other three top five destinations were the US (up 4% to AUS$443 million) the UK (Australia’s number one market by volume), which increased 0.2% to AUS$376 million and Canada, which increased 7% to AUS$193 million.
Guy Adams, managing director of Langhorne Creek wine company, Brothers in Arms attributed their export success in the US market to “a significant investment in time and cash”, but also urged other Australian companies interested in cracking the US market, “to be prepared to invest in the travel the market requires for success.”
