Chilean Wine Exports Up By 60 Percent

Bottled wine sales increase in both quantity and value

Confidence is high among Chilean winemakers, with information released this week showing a 60 percent increase in exports for November, 2009, compared to the same month in 2008.
“November saw a big increase in our export volumes, which is great news,” said Rene Araneda, Vice-president of the association of Chilean wines.

Recent figures released by trade association Vinos de Chile also show a dramatic rise in bottled wine exports, with a 25 percent increase in both the volume and value of sales reported for November 2009.

But while annual export volumes dramatically increased in 2009, the actual value of sales dropped 0.4 percent. Industry experts blame this fall on the weakened U.S dollar, with the average price for a case of Chilean wine down by 8.4 percent in 2009 to US$26.70.

“It is important for us that the average price for a bottle shows signs of recuperation” Araneda said. “Our figures are influenced by the uncompetitive exchange rate. And as an export industry, we hope authorities can find ways to reverse this.”

According to 2009 figures, the United Kingdom is the biggest consumer of Chilean wine, while the United States remains the most lucrative market. Exports to the U.S. totalled US$188 million up to November this year, while the U.K. purchased US$183 million of Chilean wine in the same period. A bottle of Chilean wine is on average US$8 cheaper in the U.K. compared to the U.S.   

Meanwhile, sales are continuing to grow in Brazil and Japan, two countries recently identified as emerging markets for Chilean wine (ST Nov 24, 2009). The Brazilian market accounted for 5.5 percent of all Chilean exports, while Japan consumed 4.5 percent in the first 11 months of 2009.

Sales in 2009 in both countries rose by nearly US$10 million in comparison the same period in 2008.

Vinos de Chile is a trade association of 90 Chilean wineries that promotes the local industry to international markets. A complete breakdown of November exports can be found on the company’s website