New Zealand Wine Exports Continue Bumper Growth

New Zealand Wine Exports Continue Bumper Growth

Reds Push Export Sales To New Highs

With more than seven million bottles of wine exported in March, New Zealand wine continues to break monthly export sales records. Growth continued in April with an increase in total exports of 124 percent on the same month last year.

New Zealand Winegrowers Chief Executive Philip Gregan says New Zealand is seeing stellar export sales growth through a period which has traditionally been a quiet time.

“The high export sales volume comes on the back of a bigger take-up of our red wines and the emergence of two new markets, Canada and Germany.

“August through October, when Sauvignon Blanc is released, are normally our biggest months. However, during the first quarter this year we’re breaking monthly sales records and achieving a number of firsts,” he says.

A total of 5.2 million litres of wine was exported in March, the biggest ever in one month, and up 73 percent on the same month last year.

March also saw a new record for exports to the UK which tipped the scales at 20.2 million litres for the year to March 2005, up 48 percent on the previous 12-month period.

While Sauvignon Blanc continues to be New Zealand’s number one varietal up 92 percent in March 2005 on the same month last year, sales of later released wines such as Cabernet, Merlot and Cabernet Merlot blends up 59 percent and Pinot Noir up 78 percent, are now taking some of the limelight.

“In addition to new varietals gaining legs on the international stage, we have also seen the emergence of two markets in the past month, including Canada and Germany, up 231 percent and 123 percent respectively.

“Canada and Germany are increasing demand for Chardonnay and red wines, and these new trends are exciting for our industry,” says Mr Gregan.

ENDS

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