INTERNATIONAL demand for fine Australian wine grew strongly in 2018, with a significant increase in wine exports.
Wine Australia reported a 10pc growth in value to $2.82b free on board (FOB) and 5pc in volume to 850 million litres (94 million nine-litre case equivalents).
“These figures demonstrate strong international demand and they highlight how Australian wine exporters have worked diligently to develop and maintain international market,” Wine Australia chief executive Andreas Clark said.
“This demand translated into growth in almost all price segments.”
Bottled wine shipments increased by 7pc in value to $2.24b and decreased in volume by 3pc to 361 million litres (equivalent to 40 million nine-litre cases).
This saw the average value of bottled wine grow by 10pc to a record $6.20 per litre FOB, which covers all associated costs to load the product on a vessel ready for export.
Unpackaged wine also experienced outstanding growth, reaching record levels in value (up 27pc to $560m) and volume (up 12pc to 480 million litres or 53 million nine-litre case equivalents).
The average value of unpackaged wine continued to grow, increasing by 14pc to $1.17 per litre.
Another record was the value of exports above $10 per litre, which grew by 22pc to $895m.
The value of exports above $10 per litre FOB now surpasses the value of exports in the $2.50 to $4.99 per litre segment, which is historically the largest segment of exports.
Red wine continues to be the most popular wine style exported from Australia and value increased by 12pc to $2.14b in 2018.
The value of white wine exports also grew by 10pc to $607m.
There was growth in Australian exports to nearly every region of the world in 2018.
