ITALY, LEADER IN VALUE AND ALSO IN VOLUME IN THE STATES, WITH 22.9% IN QUANTITY OF WINE IMPORTED AND 32.2% IN VALUE ... EVEN THOUGH THE FIRST QUARTER OF 2012 IS DOWN COMPARED TO 2011: DATA FROM ITALIAN WINE & FOOD INSTITUTE

Italy is the leader in value on the U.S. market and now is once again leader in volume of wine imported by the States, with a market share rising to 22.9% in quantity and 32.2% in value, 584.050 hectoliters arrived in America that have made Italian wineries earn $ 297.455. This is the first quarter of 2012 for Italian wines in the U.S., according to the Italian Wine & Food Institute, headed by Lucio Caputo.
It is a confirmed leadership, despite a decline of 4.3% in quantity and 5.3% in value over the same period in 2011, but on the rebound, after the not so brilliant first two months of the year for Italy overseas. Among Italy’s winemaking competitors, Australia is in position number 2, with 560.370 hectoliters and 122.611 dollars (+18.2% in volume and +1.2% in value compared to 2011), and Chile at number 4, with 471.960 hectoliters and $84.731 (+92.2% in volume and+36.8% in value). Followed by Argentina, with 420.490 hectoliters and $77.040 (+62.7% in volume, +13.3% in value), and France, with 162.770 hectoliters and $150.926 (+7.9% in volume and + 15% in value). The total exports to the U.S., says the Italian Wine & Food Institute, amounted to 2.5 million hectoliters, valued at $875.701, which is an increase of 22.5% in quantity and 4.5% in value compared to 2011.
Info: www.italianwineandfoodinstitute.com