Imported Wine Eyes China High-end Market

With the tax slash on imported wine in 2007, wines from France, Italy, Spain are swarming into China and become powerful competitors of China local wine. Most of them targets High-end Market.

Latest statistics shows, imported wines in China market now accounts for 6.6% in 2006, and was expected to up to 18% in 2008.

In 2007, China imported 4,500,000 cases wine, up 125% from 2006, with French wine and Australian wine filling nearly 60% of China imported wine market. 2006-2007, market share of French wine rose from 34% to 37%, while Australian wine dropped from 23% to 21%. Top 10 imported wine country in China market are in turn as folllwing: France, Australia, Italy, Spain, Chile, America, German, Argentina, Portugal, South Africa.

Mr Xia Zhongbang, managing director of Constellation China believes global cost growth will influence Europe and Australian wine industry, and American wine industry will take priority in future several years.

IWSR forecasts, as main comsuming market in Asia, China market will grow 13% annually, and will reached 1.1 billion bottles in 2011, accounts for 40% of Asia market total sales, doubled from 2006.

Imported wine in China mainly target high-end market, focusing on restaurants, clubs, etc. High-end market will grow rapidly in China, that will be a good chance for imported wine. "Imported wines are taking more and more market share from domestic wines in China high-end market." Xia Zhongbang said.