10°c Light rain
17°c Variable cloudiness
The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
US wine exports set new record in 2012 with strong growth in Canada and Asian markets
In this photo taken Dec. 13, 2012 vineyard manager Chris Pedemonte walks through a vineyard of Cabernet Sauvignon in Rutherford, Calif. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Eric Risberg
SAN FRANCISCO - New figures show U.S. wine exports grew for the third consecutive year in 2012, setting a record of $1.43 billion in revenue, the San Francisco-based Wine Institute said Thursday.
Ninety per cent of those exports were from California. Volume shipments reached 424.6 million litres or 112.2 million cases.
The European Union remained the top market for California wines, accounting for about 34 per cent of all sales. The state's wineries also saw significant growth in Canada and Asia.
Sales in China reached $74 million in 2012, up 18 per cent from the previous year. South Korea, at $16 million, was up 26 per cent. And Vietnam, at $27 million, was up 22 per cent.
Exports to Mexico also grew for a second consecutive year, to $20 million, an amount that was double the 2009 figure.
In Canada, the second largest market for California wines, sales reached $434 million, up 14 per cent.
The increase came despite a highly competitive global market, significant trade barriers and a recovering economy, according to institute president Robert P. Koch.
The institute, which serves as the administrator of an export promotion program managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, promotes California wines through a video campaign, website and social media campaigns across the globe.
California winemakers say they've seen increased demand from overseas but still face some barriers to exporting wine.
"We've seen a big demand," said David Gates, vice-president of vineyard operations at Ridge Vineyards in Cupertino. "And as demand has picked up, we pushed a little harder into the more developing markets, the biggest one being China."
The winery exports 25 per cent of its production, Gates said. Its top export destinations are Canada, United Kingdom, Japan, Mexico and China.
As exports pick up, the main barrier for a smaller winery is production, Gates said. The company has to allocate its wine carefully in order to supply demand from the growing export market.
Another barrier is price, said Skylar Stuck, general manager at Halter Ranch in Paso Robles. Land and labour in places such as Chile or Australia are cheaper than in the Napa or the Sonoma valleys. Even French or Italian wines can cost less to make, he said. The result is that iconic California wines that have cache sell well at high prices, but less known wineries have a harder time competing.
More FP News Top Story
- Back to Top
- Return to FP News Top Story
More FP News Top Story
(1 of 14 articles for this week)
In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
05/20/2013 11:15 PM 0
Poll
Most Popular FP News Top Story
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- In unusual pattern, Oklahoma tornado tracked path of 1999 monster twister with record winds
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Actress Sophie Turner drops hints on 'Game of Thrones' season 3
- Industry fingering pine beetle for some blame in fatal mill explosions
- Pressure grows to improve human rights for transgender people in Newfoundland
- Saudi Arabia reports new fatal infection with novel coronavirus: WHO
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Police: Boston Marathon bomb suspect fired shots from boat, hospitalized in serious condition
- Pressure grows to improve human rights for transgender people in Newfoundland
- Nigeria, beset by violence from Islamic extremists, sets up committee on offering amnesty deal
- Serena Williams beats Sharapova to win 50th career title in Madrid; Nadal wins men's event
- Father of Rehtaeh Parsons pleads for new law against malicious harassment online
- ESPN says it regrets that reporter described gay NBA player Collins as a sinner
- Pakistani model's tattooed nude photo in Indian magazine causes uproar
- Unidentified victims of Bangladesh collapse buried as more graves are readied; toll now 420
- Census 2011 makes history: population in the West surpasses that in the East
- As Boston mourns, suspected brothers' radicalism comes into focus
- Dates set for recreational food fishery in Newfoundland and Labrador
- Car bomb at French Embassy in Libyan capital wounds 3 in latest sign of deepening lawlessness
- Israeli archaeologists discover ancient clay seal in Jerusalem, suggest link to Temple ritual
- Elections Canada wants greater punishment powers in wake of robocalls debacle
- Still no winner for $50 million Lotto Max jackpot, but Manitoba has a $1 million winner
Ads by Google
You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.
Have Your Say
New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.
The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.