China boost Cognac sale in 2011

The number of bottles sold rose by 6.4 percent to 162.9 million in 2011, with volumes up 20 percent in China, the BNIC said.

 

The Far East, which accounted for more than one-third of demand, was the biggest market and the fastest-growing with volumes up 14.4 percent, according to BNIC.

 

The head of French spirits group Remy Cointreau told Reuters this week that he was optimistic about 2012 despite economic woes in Europe thanks to strong demand for its premium cognac in Asia and a recovering U.S. market.

 

The maker of Remy Martin cognac and Cointreau liqueur had "very good" Christmas sales, while October-December sales sharply exceeded its expectations thanks to strong cognac shipments ahead of the Chinese New Year, Chief Executive Jean-Marie Laborde said.