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Slideshow
China’s top 10 biggest wine importers
The latest figures on wine sales in China show a market back in growth. We look at the performance of the top 10 importers by country.
Bottles of Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais arrive in China
As previously reported by the drinks business, the market for wine in China appears to be experiencing a bounce back, with almost a 50% year-on-year volume increase and 30% value increase, according to official Chinese customs data covering the period from January to September this year.
While sales of imported wine never actually suffered negative growth in China, the rate of increase slowed from 65% in 2011 to just 3% during 2014, following the introduction of austerity measures by president Xi Jingping in 2013.
The main impact of this new political climate has been felt by French fine wine, but more notably in volume terms, domestically produced wine, which has fallen by 16% in the last two years from a peak of 142m cases in 2012 to 119m at the end of 2014.
Nevertheless, imported wine sales are growing faster in volume than value, with almost all imported wine country categories seeing a decline in their average prices, and it is bulk wine that is experiencing the greatest growth, up 100% from January to September compared to the same period in 2014.
Consequently, bulk wine now totals 98 million litres, one third of the 298m litre total imported wine market in China (which in turn is 28% of the domestic wine market, which amounts to 1,071m litres).
The top 10 by volume can be viewed over the following pages.
10. Germany
Share by volume: 1%
Volume: 3m litres (+7%)
Value: US$14m (-10%)
Average price: US$4.44 (-16%)
Germany enjoys a relatively high average price in China, although this is falling as volume outpaces value. With China primarily a red wine drinking market, the potential for Germany should lie with its Pinot Noir (Spatburgunder), which, with its ripe red fruit and soft tannins, should be ideally suited to a wide range of Chinese cuisines.
9. Argentina
Share by volume: 1%
Volume: 4m litres (+35%)
Value: US$16m (+29%)
Average price: US$3.99 (-5%)
Argentina is seeing strong growth in China, although it’s off a relatively small base, while volume is increasing at a higher rate than value.
The country’s focus on red wines is a great advantage in China, although Malbec does not enjoy the same cachet in Asia, as it does in the UK or US.
While Argentina is home to first-rate Cabernet Sauvignon – the most demanded grape in China – it will struggle to compete with Chile, which not only produces high volumes of this variety, but also enjoys a free trade agreement with China, giving Chile zero import tariffs.
8. Portugal
Share by volume: 1%
Volume: 4m litres (+61%)
Value: US$12m (+8%)
Average price: US$2.71 (-33%)
While the volume of Portuguese wine imports to China is growing at an impressive rate, it comes at a cost: Portugal’s has the second lowest average price in China after Spain.
Furthermore, Portugal has suffered the greatest decline in average price in the past year – it has fallen by 33%.
7. South Africa
Share by volume: 2%
Volume: 6m litres (+83%)
Value: US$27m (+84%)
Average price: US$4.12 (+0.3%)
South Africa is proving a powerful player in the Chinese wine market, and is one of only two countries which has seen average prices rise in the past nine months, compared to the same period last year.
It has also enjoyed the fastest rate of volume growth so far this year, up an impressive 83% to total 6 million litres (0.66m cases).
6. The US
Share by volume: 3%
Volume: 8m litres (-15%)
Value: US$39m (-22%)
Average price: US$4.93 (-8%)
The US does not appear to be benefitting from the turnaround in Chinese wine demand this year, and is the only country in the top 10 to be experiencing both volume and value decline, even though average prices have fallen.
5. Italy
Share by volume: 6%
Volume: 18m litres (+23%)
Value: US$64m (+4%)
Average price: US$3.67 (-15%)
As we move into the top five biggest country categories in China there is a big step up in volume, with Italy enjoying double the market share of nearest rival, the US.
While Italy is seeing volumes rise, its average price has fallen, and it’s now lower than all the others in this list apart from Chile, Spain and Portugal.
4. Chile
Share by volume: 12%
Volume: 36m litres (+38%)
Value: US$128m (+36%)
Average price: US$3.51 (-2%)
Benefitting from zero import tariff, and vast volumes of price competitive reds, particularly Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile is one of China’s preferred sources of wine.
Indeed, the country has double the market share of China’s fifth biggest supplier, Italy. The only set back in Chile’s China success story is the low prices fetched for Chilean wine in Asia, partly explained by the large volumes of bulk wine shipped from Chile to China, which are reputedly used to boost the quality of domestic brands.
3. Spain
Share by volume: 13%
Volume: 40m litres (+54%)
Value: US$83m (+11%)
Average price: US$2.07 (-28%)
Spain is a hugely successful volume player in China, primarily due to low prices. In fact, Spain has the lowest average price of any importer to China, almost US$1.50 per litre lower than Chile, which benefits from zero import tax due to a free trade agreement.
2. Australia
Share by volume: 14%
Volume: 42m litres (+59%)
Value: US$322m (+84%)
Average price: US$7.71 (16%)
Australia is notable in this list as the only country to post a significant average price rise in the past nine months compared to the same period last year.
Furthermore, it has the highest average price of all the countries listed in the top 10 (although New Zealand, which is China’s 11th largest category – and therefore falls outside this list – has an average price per litre in China of US$10.52, almost $3 more).
And the future for Australia looks bright – the country has negotiated a free trade agreement with China that will see the import tariff drop to 0% by 2019.
1. France
Share by volume: 43%
Volume: 127m litres (+36%)
Value: US$623m (+34%)
Average price: US$4.91 (-2%)
It will come as little surprise that France is China’s biggest country category, and the extent of its dominance is impressive: it holds 43% of the imported wine market.
Furthermore, it holds the third highest average price of the 10 countries featured in this list – it is only behind Australia and the US.
Nevertheless, it is seeing a small decline in average prices, although this drop is relatively small compared to other countries in the top 10.
We are looking for a distributor in China. for Gramma Wines of Romania.
Hi Alistair, you can try Interwine China, the biggest wine exhibition in China full of Chinese importers. You may contact me 🙂
My name is Carlos and I´m a comercial representative of a few wine producers from Portugal.
We are looking partners to work wine distribution in Asia.
Please contact us
Hi Carlos – do you have a website??
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are writing from Georgia, wine company Wine Story Ltd. We do produce different speceis of wine and provide some wholesalers in best prices.
If you are interested in Georgian unique wine, we can send the samples and negotiate.
If you have further questions, we are happy to respond on time.
With regards,
Company Management
We are looking for a distributor of Lambanog, Philippine’s coconut vodka.
We are looking for the distributor, dealer in China, Hong Kong , Macau , Far East markets for Tequila Brands – Republic Tequila and Z Tequila.
We are looking for distributors to market Georgian wine in China
Hello, our company producing world well known wine in Abkhazia, all wine specialists know our county wine, we are located near with Georgia.
sardor – you forgot to mention Abkhazeti is occupied territory of Georgia. it is occupied by Russia. As such any business with Abkhazeti is illegal internationally
Top 15 Winery from Chile looking for distribution in ASIA,
Looking for a Chinese distributor for nice Spanish wine, price range Euro 6-10/750 ml bottle
one of the major Import Group is HYP ASIA – for China – Hong Kong – Macau – Taiwan – Japan – Singapore – Korea and other asian countries.
they have a contact page where you can propose your wines and other alcoholic beverages.
Dear Sir,
We are a trading company based in Malta and we have direct accounts with the most top branded, bottlers, wineries, breweries, distilleries and suppliers of mineral water, soft drinks, wines, champagnes, spirits, and liquors. We can deliver all our products, to bonded warehouses in U.K. Holland, Belgium, U.S.A., France, and Italy, and our payment terms are always by escrow of the bond, where we will deliver goods to.
Interested parties, can contact me directly by email on dta@maltanet.net and specify their requirements, and then I will quote you accordingly within a short time.
THE BIGGEST CAUCASIA WINE FACTORY, WE ARE LOOKING FOR CHINESE DITRIBUTORS.
我们酒厂在高加索地区最大工厂第一 ，我们想找中国代理商。我们在大连有办事处，有兴趣的可以联系我 186987334227（罗西姆）
DEAR SIRS;
As you know, although Portugal is a small country, it is very valuable in the segment of WINES, because there are several regions demarcated throughout the country, the climate and the grounds are excellent to give high quality wines and very appreciated in the world, this wine brand Is highly sought after
Thus we are presenting white 12,5º and red wine of 13º of one of the several demarcated regions of Portugal and very recognized in the world.
Can be presented in boxes of 6 units in 2700 cartons per container, that means 16200 units per 20 “container and can be supplied mixed or only one type, white, or red.
We present a bottle of WINE RED or WHITE, very elegant and very suggestive style at a very special export price, € 1.00 / un, EX-WORKS price 25 km from the port of Lisbon.
We will be at your disposal for any clarification you may require. Take advantage of this opportunity to purchase a quality wine at a great price, as you can earn good money with this quality product.
Best Regards
Antonio Mário
PORTUGAL
I need your email, I have several products to present your company, and so send pictures, prices and product specifications, which can market with high quality and very competitive prices, please send to my personal email mario@mariopinto.org We exclusivity of our products which you wish to cover.
Thank you
Hello, we are looking for a distributor in China. We are both wine producers and distributors, and we adjust the needs of each client.
Hello, we are looking for a distributor in China. We are both wine producers and distributors, and we adjust the needs of each client.
Hello, we are a distributor from Spain.
We are both producers and distributors and we adjust our products of the needs of our clients.
Hi! We are looking for distributors of Georgian wine in China
Good
Hi, I represent 3 Australian Wineries who produce 100% Australian Organic wines of the finest quality
We are happy to discuss distribution rights to the right companies who can import and distribute these wines in their own country.
Please send your company details directly to myself at brett@ausminerals.com.au if interested, we can also package the wine under your own brand if need be, this can be discussed once we establish relations.
Thanks and Regards
Brett
Hi Brett,
perhaps you should come to the HK Wine Fair with Winestate NOV 9-11, 2017. Coming with us is much cheaper than doing by yourself! Give me a call if interested 08 8357 9277. Peter Jackson sales@winestate.com.au
Hello, we represent Ukraine Wine Factory. We grow 15 varieties of grapes. We are looking for a distributor company in China. Wechat Ukrainian-crown.
We are the Fishwives Club Boutique Winery – an international cult wine brand from South Africa that exports our new world wines to Europe. We are looking for distribution partners in China and the East to partner us with this fast-growing brand. Check us out www.thefishwivesclub.com. Contact patrick@thefishwivesclub.co.za
Hello Sirs,
We are looking for a distributor company in China also we are producing fruit wines and we have attended Anufood China, if you interested i can send your product catalog my mail is export@bendiswinery.com and our price range is 4.5 USD.
We are looking for Chinese distributors of wine & spirits.
We are professional suppliers of wine & spirits from Australia and New Zealand. Pls contact us and try to reach agreement with us.
Hello everyone. We are a wine producer company based in the eastern Serbia. The company has a long tradition and great quality and variety of wines. The fact that Serbian wines are might not that famous on Chinese market or there might be not many of them but we guarantee and present the quality that comes from a very nice and rich land area on the east of Serbia. We are looking for interested Chinese distributors that have interest to meet our market production and taste Yugoslavian wine which can have the same quality specifications such as many French,Sphatanish ,Italian or any other wines t come from these countires.
If interested please contact me directly.
Ana Gligorijevic anagligorijevic90@yahoo.com
We are looking for wine distributors from Spain we are the leading source of wine in Spain please if interested let me know so that I can get in touch and show you send samples of everything thank you for your fast reply
Tamasa Wines is a exporter of Boutique South African wines, at the moment we represent the following wineries:
De Meye, Hoopenburg, Journey’s End, Peter Falke, Waterkloof, Noble Hill, Babylonstoren, Niel Joubert, Lynx, Hillcrest Wine Estate
We are looking for a distributor in China
Jean Call Champagne is looking of a distributor in China.
www.jean-call-champagne.com
You can contact me : ds@jean-call-champagne.com
Pls contact us and try to reach agreement with us.
Dagmar Schüler
Good day! I represent the Russian winery, the Kuban region. Novorossiysk. We produce premium segment wine, have high marks at international exhibitions in Europe. Looking for a distributor in China. Our website www.sikory.ru Commercial Director Denis Drako drako@sikory.ru
Hello! I’m Elena and I represent an Italian wine company. Our company produces high quality wines: Chardonnay, Spumante Brut Millesimato and Primitivo del Salento.
We are looking for a distributor in China. If you need further information please contact me at 201055683@qq.com or WeChat 微信：elena_idi88.
thanks!
Hi everyone, we are a French company importing wines from all over the world, we have our own bottling factory in Asia from which we can issue FORM E to export, reducing import taxes to 0 for China. We are looking for a chinese distributor. We will be happy to quote depending on your needs. Thank you
Hi,I am selling some fine wine from my personal collection.
American,Italian & French wine.
I am based in Minnesota,let me know if you are interested
Hello! We are are a top winery from Bordeaux in France and we are looking wine distributurs from over the world. For more information, please contact me at petia ganeva777@gmail.com or one of the owner charles.sabourin@gmail.com
Thank you! Best Wishes & Regards,
Petia