In the year ended April 2008, the volume of Australian wine exports declined 8.5% to 730 million litres. Value declined by 4% to A$2.81 billion on an average price increase of 4% to A$3.85 per litre.
Driving the decline in overall volume were reductions in bulk and soft-pack shipments which were partially offset by an increase in bottled volumes. Bulk shipments declined by 33% (78 million litres) and soft-packs by 41% (7 million litres) while bottled shipments grew 3% (17 million litres). In the preceding year, all three categories grew.
A combination of less relatively lower-priced bulk wine in the mix and a 17% increase in the average price of bulk wine to A$1.19 per litre were key to the increase in the overall average price. The average price of bottled wine fell 5% to A$4.62 per litre, constraining the overall price increase.
Significant highlights include;
* Volume declines, average price up
* Bottled volumes grow, downturn in bulk and soft pack shipments
* UK volume declines marginally, average price falls
* US volume declines, average price grows
* Value per litre in China grows 150%
China was a strong contributor to value growth. Value increased A$10 million on the back of a 150% increase in the average price to A$4.62 per litre. The main contributor to the price rise was an increase in the share of bottled wine shipments, from a quarter to just over three-quarters. This was due to a 16 million litre decline in bulk shipments and a 3 million litre increase in bottled shipments.
The full report can be downloaded from here.
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