CHAMPAGNE EXPORTS TO THE U.S. DROP WHILE IT CONTINUES TO GROW IN EUROPE AND ASIA. ITALY CLIMBS THE RANKS (+11%), SURPASSING A RECORD 10 MILLION BOTTLES

The global demand for Champagne was unquenchable in 2007. With 150.9 million bottles sent to over 190 countries, exports, which totaled one third of all exports in the 1980’s, now make up 45% of the total, tripling its volume. And Italy is climbing the ranks among the top importing countries, taking fourth place after Great Britain, the United States and Germany (according to data provided by Comité Inerprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne, the organization to protect and promote the Champagne denomination).

Italy, with a total 10,338,199 bottles of champagne imported in 2007, has registered a 10.9% increase over 2006, an all-time record.

Overall, the British are the number one consumers, followed by the U.S., Germany, Western European countries (Italy, Belgium, Switzerland, Spain, and Holland), and Japan and Australia.
The European Union (apart from France), absorbs 61% of total exports with 91.4 million bottles in 2007, a 9% increase over 2006.

In 2007, though the actual volume may still be very low, the most important increases in imports are to countries that have recently entered into the European Union, like Romania (+129%).
Following their integration, Cyprus, Poland, and Bulgaria doubled their Champagne consumption, while they have tripled in Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, the Czech Republic, and Slovenia. Lithuania has grown seven times and Slovakia by eleven. Russia continues its impressive growth as well, at +41%. And an increase has also been registered in Asian countries. 2% of total exports 30 years ago have, today, reached 9%. Japan is obviously at the top of the list even though it is a relatively young market compared to Singapore (1,127,499 bottles) and Hong Kong (910,928 bottles), which have long been among the top 20 countries for Champagne consumption.

The Chinese, still modest with 656,208 bottles, beats all records for growth, having multiplied nine times in five years.
More or less at the same levels of consumption (200-300,000 bottles), India, Thailand, South Korea, and Taiwan continue their growth as well, though more slowly in respect to previous years.
And, finally, a surprising note from the United Arab Emirates. This traditionally non alcoholic country has registered an 18% increase in Champagne consumption (with 983,690 bottles imported in 2007) due to the booming luxury hotel industry.



Totals for Champagne in 2007

(Number of bottles exported/% change)

France: 187,785,100, +3.67%

Export: 150,922,092, +7.30%

Total: 338,707,192, +5.26%

Source: Champagne Information Center



Top Ten Markets Worldwide

(Position, Country, Number of bottles exported,% change)

1 – Great Britain, 38,957,205, 5.86%

2 – United States, 21,722,220, -6.21%

3 - Germany, 12,914,406, 5.11%

4 - Italy, 10,338,199, 10.94%

5 - Belgium, 9,948,088, 6.93%

6 - Japan, 9,170,371, 14.43%

7 - Switzerland, 6,067,859, 11.44%

8 - Spain, 4,571,123, 27.53%

9 - Holland, 4,072,215, 10.54%

10 - Australia, 3,308,978, 12.22%

Source: Champagne Information Center