The US has overtaken the UK to become the largest market for wine exports from Australia.
The switch, recorded in the 12 months to the end of September, was confirmed in figures from trade association Wine Australia this week. The numbers also show that the value of wine leaving the country is still in decline, although at a slower rate than the -24% tumble from the same period in 2020-21.
Overall, shipments from Australia fell 11% in value terms to AUD2.01bn (US$1.3bn) in the 12-month period on a 1% volume dip. A year ago, the export slide of almost a quarter came as the country's winemakers acclimatised to the effective removal of China as a market following the imposition of import tariffs on Australian wine at the end of 2020.
Stripping out China, exports by value were flat for the year at -0.2% at AUD1.99bn.
While the US was up 5% year-on-year, the UK headed in the other direction, falling back by 14%. The trade organisation noted that the decline in the UK was a result of "the return to more normal levels of shipments after larger levels over the past two years".
Market insights manager Peter Bailey said: "The growth trend in the US and Canada was driven by both ends of the price spectrum; premium wine exports continued to grow and unpackaged commercial exports increased, as shipments of the record 2021 vintage accelerated following a slower than usual start due to global shipping pressures."
To view the full report from Wine Australia, click here.
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