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ProWein 2023 a ‘resounding success’

24 March 2023 By Louis Thomas

The 2023 edition of ProWein concluded on Tuesday, with 6,000 exhibitors and 49,000 trade visitors flocking to Düsseldorf over the three days of the fair.

This year’s fair promised a great amount, from the return of South African winemakers after two years of travel restrictions, to the arrival of popstar and rosé tycoon Kylie Minogue. Two areas that have been receiving increasing interest in recent years, no- and low-alcohol drinks and alternative packaging, were also represented, the latter in Hall 1’s ‘World of Zero’.

Undeterred by public transport strikes in the city, the high number of trade visitors, coming from 141 countries, was 11,000 greater than the figure for last year’s fair, which was postponed from its traditional March date to May due to a spike in Omicron cases at the time.

86% of the exhibitors were from outside of Germany, with Italy being especially well represented. It was also noted that over the years there has been a growing number of exhibitors and attendees from Asia, a testament to the growing importance of these markets for the wine industry.

However, though it was a truly international event, Monika Reule, managing director of the Deutsches Weininstitut (DWI), noted that the verdict of German exhibitors was also highly positive: “They were very satisfied with the quality and quantity of trade visitors, especially from abroad. In view of the challenging market situation at home, the export business is becoming increasingly important for many producers. At this year’s ProWein, many exhibitors were able to strengthen and further expand their international trade links.”

Erhard Wienkamp, managing director of event organisers Messe Düsseldorf, said: “ProWein has once again proven to be the leading international fair of the wine and spirits industry. As with the producers in the sector – achieving this takes a great deal of passion. We have once again done our best to not just be good but better.”

The next ProWein in Düsseldorf is scheduled for 10-12 March 2024.

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