German Wine Exports Weather the Economic Crisis

Despite the difficult economic environment, the German Wine Institute/Mainz reports that German wine exports showed posted growth in 2008. At a press conference just prior to the international wine trade fair ProWein in Düsseldorf, the institute's managing director, Monika Reule, announced that in 2008, German wine exports increased 11% (reaching 427 million Euro) in terms of value and 14% (reaching 2.2 million hectoliters) in terms of volume compared with 2007.

The trend in Great Britain in recent years a notable upgrade from entry-level to the middle-price segment - continued in 2008, with stable to slightly higher value (+5%), despite slightly lower volume (-3%). Unfavorable currency exchange rates and an increase in the wine tax in 2008 (+8%, to 1.57£ per 0.75 l) do not bode well for wine producers wishing to export to the British market.

There were also double-digit increases in value – albeit on a somewhat lower level – in other destinations for German wine exports: Norway (+15%), Denmark (+18%), Ireland (+33%), and in the meantime, also China (+73%).

In the next few years, the German Wine Institute will continue to focus on Germany’s premier varietal – Riesling – but will expand its communication efforts to publicize the country’s most important red varietal – Spätburgunder (Pinot Noir). After all, Germany is the world’s third largest producer of this premium grape variety, after France and California. Reule adds: “Many a Spätburgunder from Germany is on a par with its top international counterparts and these wines are increasingly capturing the attention of the international wine trade and press.”

source: DWI