EU-27 Annual Wine Report 2009; Consumption to Fall Due to Economic Downturn(11)

The UK is the world’s largest importer of wine and the number one export market for US
wine. According to Nielsen retail data, which includes U.S. wines transshipped through other
EU countries, US wine sales surpassed France in 2008, making the US the second largest
supplier to British supermarkets after Australia. This notable event is mainly due to the rise
in popularity of rosé or White Zinfandel style wines. Over 50 percent of rosé wine sold in the
UK is of US origin. White wine is most popular in the UK representing 46.8 percent of all
wine sold in 2008, followed by red wine at 44 percent and rosé at 9.2 percent. The trend
toward the erosion of the red wine market share to lighter, sweeter wines continues.
Sparkling wine has also a benefited from this movement, with sales increasing by 28 percent
in the last five years to 2008.
TRADE TABLES FOR SELECTED COUNTRIES
ITALIAN WINE EXPORTS
Quantity in 1,000 hectoliters
Value in million dollars
Country of
Destination
2006 2007 Jan-Nov 2008
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
Germany 6,403 902 6,085 1,003 5,029 1,020
France 1,498 105 1,260 114 867 110
UK 2,071 487 2,270 629 2,200 678
Denmark 281 114 275 130 247 127
Czech Republic 555 30 571 37 509 43
Austria 456 86 436 96 309 90
Switzerland 594 247 611 300 558 306
GAIN Report - E49021 Page 11 of 15
UNCLASSIFIED USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
U.S. 2,348 1,016 2,534 1,136 2,280 1,088
Canada 559 240 574 271 540 276
Japan 285 125 280 137 272 139
TOTAL WORLD 18,093 4,039 18,266 4,760 15,891 4,871
Source: Global Trade Atlas
FRENCH WINE EXPORTS
Quantity in 1,000 hectoliters
Value in million dollars