Canadian wine market - an overview

•  Canada is the world’s ninth larrgest market for wine, sitting just above Australia at US$6bn

• It is growing at 2% per annum

• Canadians consume 16.3 litres per adult per year, more than the US at 13.7 litres, but far less than Australia (29.4 litres)

• Two thirds of the 52.6 million cases of wine sold in Canada last year were sold in Quebec and Ontario, where 19 and 16 million cases were sold respectively

• The next largest markets were British Columbia (8.5 million cases) and Alberta (5 million cases)

• The top source of wine in Canada is domestically produced, commanding a 29% market share in volume, followed by Italy (14%), US (12%) France (12%), and Australia (9%)

• The proportion of Canadian wine drinkers consuming domestically consumed wine is increasing, driven mostly by Quebec

• White, rose and sparkling are the key wine styles driving growth, increasing by 2%, 8% and 18%

• The number one variety sold in Canada is Cabernet Sauvignon, growing by 5% to 6 million cases - Australia has a 16% share of this market

• The next three most popular varieties are all white: Pinot Gris/Grigio, up by 5%, Chardonnay, up 2%, and Sauvignon Blanc up 6%.

• Over 40% of wine sold in Canada does not have a variety stated on the label

• Australian wine exports to Canada increased by 12% in value to $210m last year, the highest value since 2011

• Volume increased by 19% to 74 million litres (8.2 million 9 litres case equivalents), a record leve Bulk shipments drove this growth, up by 43% to $47m

• Bulk wine shipments have moved from having a 55% volume share of exports to 61% in the past year

• Bottled wine shipments also increased, growing by 6% to $160 million

• Key price segments driving the growth in bottled wine are the $5 to $7.49 segment, up by 17% to $72 million, and the above $10 segment, up by 12% to $26 million

• The top 4 provinces accountedfor 97% of the growth.

• Exports to Ontario grew by 5 per cent to $75 million, British Columbia grew by 27% to $56 million,Québec grew by 14% to $46 million, and   Alberta grew by 7% to $18 million

Source: Wine Australia