SA wine exports to China the 'surprise package'

Several commentators
have named South
Africa as the
surprise of the year
in terms of wine exports to
China with China Customs
statistics for the first half
of 2015 showing market
share doubling from 2-4%
in volume terms (up by 91%)
and taking 5% value share
(up 104.9%).
China is
currently South
Africa’s 6th
largest export
market for
packaged wines
by volume, and
the largest in
the Asian region, accounting
for around 8.99 million
litres for the year ending
September 2015.
According to Wines of
South Africa (Wosa) market
manager Asia, Michaela
Stander, Chinese consumers
are increasingly interested
in exploring the ‘less
conventional’ wine regions of
the world. “We believe South
Africa is well positioned to
deliver exceptional quality at
each price point.”
After several years of
modest growth, imported
wine volumes are taking off
again, according
to the latest
data published
by China
Customs. “On
current course
and speed,
import volumes
will be up a phenomenal
40% this year compared
with 2014, with Australia
leading the way, and strong
performances from Chile and
South Africa. France, the
perennial favourite in these
parts, remains number one,
but with a much reduced
lead over the chasing pack,”
said Richard Halstead of
Wine Intelligence.
INSERT
40% The increase in import
volumes this year.
CAPTION
The South African stand at Prowine China in Shanghai
last month … imported wine volumes are taking off again,
according to the latest data published by China Customs.