AUSTRALIAN wine exports increased by 15pc to $2.56b in the 12 months ending December 2017, according to Wine Australia’s Export Report.
The 15pc increase in the value of exports is the highest annual growth rate since 2004 and it was also a record-breaking year for volume, with exports growing by 8pc 811 million litres, a calendar year high.
“Growing demand for premium Australian wine increased the value of bottled wine exports by 17pc to $2.1b, while the average price per litre for bottled wine grew by 3pc to a record $5.63,” Wine Australia chief executive officer Andreas Clark said.
Wine exported in bulk also experienced price increases, with total value increasing by 10pc to $440m and average value per litre increasing by 6pc to $1.03, the highest average value since 2012.
Mr Clark said it was notable that exports of wines priced above $10 per litre grew by 29pc to a record $738m.
Exports to Northeast Asia were the growth driver with exports increasing by 47pc to over $1b for the first time.