Australian wine exports have decreased by 24 per cent in value to $2.27 billion and 17 per cent in volume to 638 million litres in the year ended September 2021.

Average value also declined by 9 per cent to $3.56 per litre free on board (FOB).

Wine Australia’s latest Export Report attributes the decline in exports to the significant decrease in exports to mainland China – down 77 per cent to $274 million with the number of exporters shipping to the market dropping from 2241 to 750 – and lower inventory levels from the small vintages of 2018-2020. Shipping delays have also impacted export volumes.

The record 2021 Australian vintage crush will start to impact export numbers over the next two quarters when shipping starts for the vintage, say Wine Australia.

Wine Australia’s General Manager – Corporate Affairs and Regulation, Rachel Triggs said the overall declines reflect the challenges that the Australian wine sector has faced over the past 12 months.