New Zealand, France & Portugal only countries where exports to the US on the up
Imported wines into the US have been losing ground this year, despite a slight increase in sales.
In the four weeks to October 7, total table imports-- which account for about a quarter of spend in the category--gave up 0.2 dollar share points in off-premise channels, according to Neilsen data.
Only three importing countries reported growth over the same period: New Zealand wine sales were up 8.7% with volumes up 7.7%; French sales jumped by 14.4% and volumes grew 15.8%; and Portuguese imports were up 5.4% in sales and 6.3% in volumes.
New Zealand and France were the only countries to gain share for the month, and the only two import categories to pick up dollar share for the year to October 7.
The majority of import countries either lost share - Australia and Argentina, or held onto what they already had - Portugal and South Africa
Italy: sales down 0.3%, volumes down 1.6%
Australia: sales down 3.4%, volumes down 4.1%
Argentina: sales down nearly 7%, volumes down 6%
Chile: sales down 5.4%, volumes down 3%
Spain: sales down 3.6%, volumes down 2.3%
Germany: sales down 4.7%, volumes down 3%
South Africa: sales down 3.2%, volumes down 5.2%
Meanwhile, imports of sparkling wine fared well, up 10% on the year, 11.2% for the six months to October 7, and comprising over 55% of sales.This compares with sales growth of only 3.5% for year their domestic rivals. amd 6% for the six months.