China gives German wines much-needed boost

Global wine exports continue to falter, but white wines from Germany are bucking the downward trend in Mainland China thanks to increasing thirst from young consumers. Data from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) show that German wine exports were down 8% year-on-year in 2023. The contraction is in line with a trend across wine worldwide. Global wine production is set to hit a 60-year low in 2024, a 2% decline from 2023 and 13% below the ten-year average. But for German wine at least there is a bright spot — Mainland China. According to the latest customs import data, German wine imports to the country have increased by 10.04% in volume and 8.9% in value through October compared to 2023. From January to September this year, German wine imports reached US$20.1 million, a year-on-year increase of 6.58%. Volumes rose 6.14% in the same period to 3,573,139 litres. These figures highlight the rising awareness and market share of German wines, particularly Riesling, in ...