by Meininger’s Wine Business International

Australian wine exports to Asia showed solid value growth in the year ending August 2008, increasing by 6% to A$262m (€149m), according to statistics just released by the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation. That growth resulted in Australia’s value share increasing from 8% to 10%. In particular, growth in China (up 17% to A$9m), Hong Kong (up 24% to A$7m) and South Korea (up 10% to A$1m) was very strong.

This increase comes in the face of a decline in the total volume of wine exports to 702m litres and a marginal decline in average price to A$3.73 per litre. Total value fell to A$2.6bn.

The fall in the overall average price came in spite of a strong bulk wine price increase of 20% to reach A$1.23 per litre. This was the result of the expected shortening of bulk wine availability after the 2007 harvest. However, the impact of this bulk wine price increase was lessened by the consequent smaller share of bulk wine in the mix and a 7% decline in the average bottle price to A$4.47 per litre.

The full report can be found at www.wineaustralia.com/winefacts under Australian exports.