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Sales of French wines at home and abroad are falling dramatically. This was announced by the national agricultural institute France AgriMer. According to an analysis of customs statistics from August 2023 to the end of April 2024, exports fell by eight per cent in volume and nine per cent in value. Exports of sparkling wines in particular, which set records in the pandemic years, fell by 17 per cent and also dragged down export values.
France sold six per cent less wine to the EU and five per cent less to the USA. The decline in value there is very high at eleven per cent. The volume losses in Asia are particularly dramatic: Japan down 14 per cent, China down 19 per cent and South Korea down 31 per cent. During the period under review, 1.3 million hectolitres of wine (minus four per cent) worth 600 million euros (minus eight per cent) were exported to Germany. This means that Germany is still the most important export market, but the average price per litre has fallen again by four per cent to just 4.61 euros. This is below the average of all 27 EU countries (5.92 euros). By comparison, the price per litre in the UK is 10.44 euros and 12.63 euros in the USA.
Wine sales in France also fell by five per cent in volume and two per cent in value between January and May 2024. Compared to the three-year average, the volume is eleven per cent lower. Foreign wines also suffered a drop of eleven per cent. However, the average retail price of these wines rose by three per cent compared to 2023.
For 2024, the figures give hope for a recovery in the non-European markets. Exports picked up again in the first five months in the USA, the UK, Japan and especially China.
(al / Source: France AgriMer)