U.S. wine exports uncorked a new record in 2012! For the third consecutive year, U.S. wine exports grew as demand increased in Germany, Sweden, Japan and China. The San Francisco-based Wine Institute said wine exports – 90 percent from California – brought in $1.43 billion in revenues, which represents a 2.6 percent growth compared to 2011.
The European Union remained the top market for California wines, accounting for about 34 percent of all sales, with sales rising 1.7 percent to $485 million. But the state’s wineries also saw significant growth in Canada and Asia.
In Canada, the second largest market for California wines, sales reached $434 million, up 14 percent. Sales in China, a top-priority growth market for US vintners, reached $74 million in 2012, up 18 percent from the previous year. South Korea, at $16 million, was up 26 percent. Exports to Japan rose 6 percent to $111 million, and included a growing amount of up bulk wine as major Japanese importers bottle them in Japan, reducing import duties, as well as more premium-priced wines, the institute said.
The United States is a powerful and influential wine producing country, and a force to be reckoned with. “California wine exports continue to increase because of our quality, diversity and value, despite a highly competitive global market, significant trade barriers and a still recovering economy.” Robert Koch, the institute’s president and chief executive, said in a statement.
Time after time, the state of California has proven itself in the worldwide wine industry, and this is yet another example of the tenacity of our winemakers who continue to compete with France, Italy and Spain’s global domination.
To conclude, I think we should all celebrate the good news with a glass of wine :) Cheers!
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