During 1997 and 1998, the interest in red wine varieties exploded in the Japanese market. Twelve years later, the Asian country is “invaded” by the offer from different countries aiming to gain ground. Moreover, there is a strong presence of local wineries from Japan. According to a report performed by the ICEX (Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade), “around 230 wineries have permission to produce in Japan. The three main producers are Mercian (Château Mercian), Suntory (Suntory Tomino oka, Suntory Shiojiri) and Sapporo (Grand Polaire), followed by Mans Wine (Solaris) and Asahibeer (Sainte Neige). Since wine consumption started to increase in the 80s, producing companies have tried to improve the wine quality by means of investment in modern production equipment, staff training and the acquisition of foreign wineries.”
Bottled wine imports in Japan
According to the official data presented by the Japan’s Ministry of Finance, Argentina exported 1,218,762 liters of bottled wine in the period January-June 2010. This means a growth of 3.8% compared with the same period last year. This way, it is in 9th place below South Africa, Germany, Australia, Spain, United States, Chile, Italy and France in first place.
The South American country with greater presence is Chile, reaching 12,126,327 liters and achieving the third place in the ranking. Besides, it is important to bear in mind that, considering this figure, Chile grew 34.2%.
France’s reality is different, even though is still leading the ranking, it decreased 5.2% the amount of liters exported to Japan during the first six months of the year, compared with the same period in 2009. However, the difference with the rest is still quite big, since France amounted 21,054,715 liters.
Japan’s imports in value
Argentina grew 10.7% in value as regards bottled wine exports to Japan, comparing the periods January-June 2009 and 2010. This means a strong recovery considering the 4.3% decrease in the period between 2008 and 2009. This way, Argentinian wineries exported 4,685,040 dollars, which is an ideal opportunity to exceed, for the first time, the 9 million dollars per year.
South Africa’s performance is also important. The South African main wine producer grew 36.2% in the first six months of 2010, keeping the winning streak of 2009, when it grew 39.8%.
France did not only decrease in liters but also in value. The wineries of this European country lost 9.5%, compared with the first six months last year. Nevertheless, the difference with the rest of the countries is still enormous, generating revenue of 168,669,623 dollars.
The Argentinian representatives
At the end of July, the results of the 13th edition of the Japan Wine Challenge were published. This international contest gathered around 1,500 wines from 23 different countries and the awards included 54 gold medals, 234 silver medals and 570 bronze medal. Moreover, the “Seal of Approval” was awarded to 355 wines, acknowledging the constant quality of products.
Argentina achieved good results, winning 23 medals from different categories and a “Seal of Approval”. Nine Argentinian wineries sent their wines to this Asian country, they are: Trapiche, Finca La Chamiza, Trivento, Bodega Santa Ana, Pascual Toso, Alto Las Hormigas Winnery, Mi Terruño, Altas Cumbres and Bodega Universo Austral.
Translation: Ana Tagua