MORE FOREIGN WINE AT LOWER PRICES: U.S. WINE IMPORTS TREND OF INCREASING QUANTITIES (22%) BUT DECREASING AMOUNTS IN VALUE (-14%) CONTINUED THROUGH MAY ACCORDING TO THE ITALIAN WINE & FOOD INSTITUTE

The data for the month of May reconfirms the trend of the previous four months of 2009 on the U.S. market: the quantity of imports continues to increase (+22%) while the value continues to decrease (-14%). Thus, the Italian Wine & Food Institute reconfirms the trend that registers Americans are continuing to drink more wine though they are now turning to those that cost less. Australia has now become the leading exporter to the U.S., surpassing Italy by over 260,000 hectoliters, while Chile, Argentina, and New Zealand have reinforced their positions with increases in exports between 20 and 134%. European countries, on the other, hand continue to register decreases in exports to the U.S..