Champagne exports hit record high in 2018, with South African imports rocketing by over a third
Champagne shipments set a new record last year, with sales hitting almost €4.9bn, a 0.3% increase on the previous year.
This was achieved despite volumes dipping by 1.8% over the same period, according to the Comité Champagne.
France and the UK account for the vast majority – 60% - of total sales between them, but they were also responsible for most of the decline, with volumes down by 4% and value down by around 2%.
The UK, which remains Champagne’s biggest export market by volume shipped in 26.7 million bottles last year, 3.6% less than the previous year, while value reached €406.2m, a drop of 2.2% – making it the second biggest export market by value after the USA.
However, demand for the French wine is strongest outside the EU, with exports to South Africa rocketing by over a third (38.4%) to top the million bottle mark for the first time.
Meanwhile sales to the US (23.7 million bottles, +2.7%), Japan (13.6 million bottles, +5.5%) and the Chinese triangle (mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan: 4.7 million bottles, +9.1%) were all strong.
Canada also recorded significant growth, with 2.3 million bottles sold (+4.8%) and Mexico with 1.7 million bottles (+4.3%).
However, Australia fared less well, after massive volume growth of 134% over the past decade, saw Australian sales of Champagne falling last year by 6.4% in value and by 1.8% in volume to 8.4 million bottles, due in part to a less favourable exchange rate.Australia remains Champagne’s sixth largest export market by volume.
The Comité, the trade body that represents the interests of Champagne producers, said the 2018 results validated its strategy of value creation of the Champagne region, “based on a continual pursuit of exceptional quality and rigorous environmental targets”.