Who Drinks Germany’s Wine? The US Remains Germany’s Most Important Export Market, German Producers are Eying China – 2011 First Half Numbers

Picture: Christian G.E. Schiller with German Star Winemaker Ernst Loosen, who is very export-oriented

The numbers are in for Germany’s performance in terms of wine exports during the first half of 2011. Overall, Germany produces 7.2 million hectoliters of wine annually, of which 5.7 million hectoliters, or about 80%, is consumed in the country and 1.5 million hectoliters, or about 20%, is exported. See here for more information on who produces and who consumes wine in the world.

German wine exports were down in the first half of 2011. In volume terms, they fell by 15% to 766 000 hectoliters; in value terms, they fell by just 2% to 174 million Euros, as the entry level wines were more affected than the premium wines by the decline.

The US remains the most important export market for German wine, with total sales increasing by 5% to 52 million Euro. This is almost 1/3 of total German wine exports.

The UK follows with Euro 19 million. But wine exports to the UK were down by 16%, mainly because of poor performance of entry-level wines.

The Netherlands are close behind the UK, with Euro 18 million. Exports fell by 3%.

In Norway, German wines have been leading the white wine segment in the past few years. This positive trend continued in the first half of 2011 with a growth rate of ten percent. "The Norwegian market is a good example of our global strategy. After focusing on Riesling in recent years in Norway, we are now shifting to other varieties such as Pinot Blanc, Sylvaner and Pinot Noir," said the Director of the DWI (Deutsches Wein Institute), Monika Reule.

China is by far the most dynamic market, up by 87%. However, this is from a low base of 20,000 hectoliters, or Euro 6 million. But the development of the local wine market is so promising that the DWI will expand next year's activities in China. It is expected that China will soon become the largest wine market in Asia for German wine exports, ahead of Japan.


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