Asia helps France to record year

Asian demand for Cognac and Bordeaux wines helped France to achieve a record year for wine and spirits exports in 2011.

Eiffel TowerAccording to data for the 12 months to the end of December, released this week by the country¡¯s Federation of Wine and Spirits Exporters (FEVS), France enjoyed a 10.5% increase in exports to €10 billion.

FEVS president Louis-Fabrice Latour attributed much of this growth to the collective €2.5bn in sales to Asia, a 29% value increase in shipments to the continent.

Although still the main market for French wine and spirits, exports to the rest of Europe saw a more modest 3% growth at €4.1bn, while the Americas rose by 9% to account for €2.1bn.

In addition to the demand for Bordeaux and Cognac ¨C exports of the latter rose by 10%, building on a 33% rise in 2010 ¨C France was also boosted by a 9.3% uplift in Champagne exports to €2.1bn.

The results mean that the country¡¯s wine and spirit industry currently represents the second largest contribution to its trade balance after the aerospace industry.