2011 U.S. Wine Exports, 90 Percent From California, Reach New Record Of $1.4 Billion

Feb 16, 2012

SAN FRANCISCO – U.S. wine exports, 90% from California, reached a new record of $1.39 billion in winery revenues in 2011, an increase of 21.7% compared to 2010. Volume shipments were up 5.8% to 455.7 million liters or 50.6 million nine-liter cases.

Thirty-four percent of U.S. wine exports by value were shipped to the 27-member countries of the European Union, accounting for $478 million of the revenues, up 10% from 2010. Volume shipments to the EU reached 28 million cases in 2011, edging up 1.4% from the previous year.

Other top markets were:

Canada, $379 million, up 23%;

Hong Kong, $163 million, up 39%;

Japan, $105 million, up 39%;

and China, $62 million, up 42%.

Table showing partner country and ranks by 2011 value: LINK

“The outlook in the world’s emerging wine markets remains positive as most markets continued to post strong gains in 2011. Hong Kong remained California’s third largest export market by value.

Although growth slowed to 39% from 150% in 2010 compared to 2009. China’s growth remained buoyant at 42% compared to 2010 and is now the fifth largest export market by value, up two places from last year.

Vietnam posted the strongest year-over-year gains (+266%) among the top 25 markets.

Elsewhere, there is significant optimism in South Korea due to the recent ratification of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement.

In Mexico where the 20% import tax on California wines was repealed in late October 2011.