Average value of bottled exports hits new record

The value of Australian wine exports has continued to grow in the 12 months to September 2019, increasing by 7 per cent in value to $2.89 billion. Importantly, this period saw the average value of bottled exports reach a record $6.79 per litre and further growth in exports, particularly above $10 per litre free on board (FOB), to the United States of America.

Other positive milestones included the value of exports over $10 per litre FOB reaching the $1 billion mark for the first time, continued growth in exports to China and encouraging growth in exports to the Netherlands, United Arab Emirates, Denmark, South Korea and Belgium.

Export volumes decreased 8 per cent to 774 million litres (86 million 9-litre case equivalents); the climb in export value and the decline in volume meant the average value increased 16 per cent to $3.74 per litre, the highest level since 2009.

Wine Australia Chief Executive Officer Andreas Clark said the growth in value reflected a strong underlying story with growth in all price segments above $5 per litre, with wine shipped at an average value of $10 per litre and above reaching record levels for both value and volume.

Figure 1: Exports by price segment (million AUD FOB)

Mr Clark said while the value of unpackaged wine exported declined slightly, by 3 per cent to $512 million, the volume had decreased 10 per cent, which meant that the average value increased by 9 per cent to $1.22 per litre FOB, the highest level since early 2009.

‘The positive numbers also reflect that the average value of bottled wine to all but 3 of our top 20 destinations are in growth and nearly all the major global regions imported more Australian wine in the past year, with the exception of Europe, which declined by 3 per cent’, he said.

Summarising the growth:

• Northeast Asia, 17 per cent to $1.34 billion
• North America, 0.1 per cent to $625 million
• Southeast Asia, 5 per cent to $179 million
• Oceania, 1 per cent to $106 million, and
• Middle East, 16 per cent to $35 million.

‘Australian wine exports to China (including Hong Kong and Macau) reached a record value of $1.25 billion, an increase of 18 per cent, with average value increasing by 40 per cent to $8.42 per litre FOB’, he said.

Mr Clark said that while the International Monetary Fund had reduced its forecast growth rate for China’s economy to 6.1 per cent in 2019, the potential softening of consumer demand was offset by Australia’s continued strong performance in the market.

‘Global Trade Atlas figures for the year ended August 2019 showed that overall wine imports declined by 11 per cent in value (AUD), which has led to Australia eclipsing France as the number one source by value while Chile is the number one by volume.

Figure 2. China total wine imports by value from top seven countries of origin (MAT)

‘Exports to the USA increased by 3 per cent to $A436 million during the year ended September 2019. Volume declined by 9 per cent to 146 million litres, contributing to a 13 per cent increase in average value to $2.97 per litre FOB,’ Mr Clark said.

‘Exports with an average value of $A10 and above increased by 20 per cent to $47 million, the highest value since 2009.’

Mr Clark said the Australian wine sector was putting a lot of effort into improving its performance in the USA.

‘September and October marked the largest-ever promotion of Australian wine in the USA. The recently executed Far From Ordinary campaign included more than 100 wine exhibitors, 3 nights of consumer events and a 6-city roadshow of trade tastings, in a marketing strategy designed to lift the perception and demand for Australian wine among American trade, consumers and media. 

‘As its name suggests, there was nothing typical about the Far From Ordinary campaign. Its non-traditional marketing approach was designed to spark intrigue, get people’s attention and cut through in the competitive USA market. We’ve been pleased by the positive publicity generated by the the campaign, which was partially funded by the Federal Government’s $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support package.

Exports to the UK declined by 4 per cent in value to $365 million and 2 per cent in volume to 233 million litres (26 million 9-litre case equivalents).

The economy in the UK remains soft as a result of uncertainty around Brexit but Australia remains number one in the UK off-trade market as it has been for 20 years, with sales growing by 0.2 per cent in value to £1.2 billion in the year ended June 2019 (IRI Worldwide).

The declines in Australia’s overall export volumes are related to a number of factors including:

• Australia’s 2018 and 2019 vintages were smaller than the record-breaking 2017 vintage, meaning that as vintages roll there is relatively less supply available for shipping overseas
• the premiumisation and moderation trends in established wine markets are putting downward pressure on volume and lifting average values, and
• international supply pressures have eased with a larger 2018 global vintage, increasing competition in the market.

 [Ends]

• MAT is the Moving Annual Total of exports and refers to the 12 months ending with the nominated month.
• FOB is the ‘free on board’ value of the wine, where the point of valuation is where the goods are placed on board the international carrier, at the boarder of the exporting country. The FOB value includes production and other costs up until placement on the international carrier but excludes international insurance and transport costs.