Mainland China has fuelled a sharp rebound in Australian wine exports, with overall shipments rising by 13% in value to AUD2.48bn (US$1.6bn) in the 12 months to the end of June 2025.
Trade association Wine Australia said in its latest export report, which is released quarterly, that the jump in value was supported by a 3% rise in volume to 639m litres, though the year-on-year performance was largely shaped by the removal of tariffs on Australian bottled wine to China in March 2024. While this led to a surge in exports to the market, the pace has already begun to ease, with the value of shipments in the April–June 2025 quarter down 35% on the same period a year earlier.
Outside of China, the picture was more subdued. Exports to the rest of the world dropped 11% in value to AUD1.59bn, with Hong Kong, the US and the UK driving declines. Wine Australia noted that these trends reflect both a pullback in consumer demand and a long-term decline in consumption in mature markets.
Europe remained the largest region by volume, though exports fell 6% to 288m litres, led by the UK. North America dropped 10% to 173m litres, with a notable shift in Canada toward higher-value wines helping to soften the decline.
Elsewhere, northeast Asia posted the strongest growth, with volume up 80% to 110m litres, driven primarily by China and South Korea. Southeast Asia also saw moderate improvement, with exports to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia on the rise.
While the return of China has helped lift the top line, Wine Australia cautioned that “continued growth is not assured,” adding that the global wine industry remains under pressure from oversupply, shifting consumer preferences and economic headwinds.
Wine Australia’s ‘Australian Wine Export Report’ for the 12 months to the end of June can be accessed here.
Earlier this month, Australian Vintage secured the termination of one of its grape-growing contracts in Australia about three years earlier than planned.
