PARIS: The exports of spirits and of still wine from France headed in opposite directions in the first six months of this year, according to recently-released figures.
Spirits exports in the half-year increased by 4% in value terms and by 3% in volume, trade association the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux de France (FEVS) said this week. Exports of still wine, however, slipped by 2% in value as volumes fell for the fourth consecutive half-year, this time by 3%. Combined wine and spirit exports inched up by 1% in value to hit EUR5.3bn (US$5.92bn). Sales of sparkling wines were up by 4%.
“French wines and spirits continued to enjoy a relatively-favourable position on world markets,” said FEVS president – and Moet Hennessy CEO – Christophe Navarre. “However, a recurrent weakness is availability, particularly for wine, which threatens the competitiveness of French companies and also our capacity to maintain this favourable position in the mid- and long-term.”
Navarre called for “a continued opening up of export markets and dismantling of trade barriers in countries as diverse as the US, Canada, Vietnam and China”.
