Recent data has revealed a significant increase in Spanish wine exports over the past year. This highlights the high quality of wines being produced in Spain and encourages the sector to continue working in the same direction.
To provide a more detailed insight into the industry figures, this post is dedicated to market data and the realities behind the numbers. This way, you can gain a deeper understanding of what lies behind each bottle of Spanish wine.
Spanish Wine Exports on the Rise
According to customs data analysed by Del Rey AWM, a new market analysis firm linked to the Rafael del Rey brand, Spanish wine exports grew by 1.9% between January and October 2024.
During this period, and based on the firm’s analysis, Spain reached €3.05 billion in wine exports. This is a significant figure that places Spain in a respectable third position in the European wine market. The top spot is held by France, with €11.53 billion, followed by Italy, with a turnover of €8.08 billion.
Given the market volume and its upward trend, analysts believe that the Spanish wine sector is currently experiencing a positive period. This level of growth is unique to Spain, as French exports fell by 4.6% during the same period. Meanwhile, Italy’s wine sales also increased, but by a more modest 3.8%.
Stable Wine Sales
According to the same source, global wine trade has remained stable in terms of sales, moving approximately 100 million hectolitres. This represents a 0.8% decline compared to the previous period, with total sales reaching €35.82 billion.
One of the key consequences of this decline has been a drop in the average price of exported wine, which fell by 1.3% to €3.58 per litre.
Particularly striking is the case of France, whose wine sales have plummeted by €557 million—the largest loss in value among all wine-producing nations. This situation is mainly due to a decline in sparkling wine sales in key markets such as Japan, Singapore, and the United States.
New Zealand and Germany: Other Markets in Crisis
In a similar situation, New Zealand and Germany have also experienced a downturn in their wine sectors. New Zealand’s wine exports fell by 11.8%, amounting to a €151 million loss.
A similar trend was observed in Germany, where sales declined despite a rebound in wine trade in major markets such as the United States.
Countries with Positive Growth
However, not all countries have faced declining or stagnant sales. Some wine producers have significantly increased their exports.
Chile and Argentina, for instance, saw their wine sectors grow by 1.4% and 1.3%, respectively. Meanwhile, in Africa, South Africa experienced a notable 2.7% increase.
More modest positive figures were recorded in Portugal, where sales rose by 2.5%, and the United States, which achieved a 3.7% increase.
Finally, Australia saw an impressive 11.8% growth, reaching a total sales volume of €1.54 billion. This success is largely attributed to the recovery of its market in China, where revenue increased by nearly €390 million. This was made possible by the removal of special tariffs that had previously been imposed on Australian wine before 2024.
Conclusion
This analysis highlights that the current wine market is relatively stable but with significant disparities among leading producers. It also underscores the volatility of these situations, as each country’s performance directly depends on its ability to adapt to consumer trends and its distribution strategy.
Ultimately, the ability to sustain sales growth remains a complex challenge in a sector that continues to offer opportunities for expansion and where much work remains to be done.
