Exports of New Zealand wine rose by 10% in value to reach nearly NZ$1.6 billion in the year up to 30 June, said New Zealand Winegrowers. Extra wine from the 2016 vintage is expected to boost export volumes by a tenth over the next year.
Steve Green, New Zealand Winegrowers chair, said the latest figures show that exports are ‘well on track’ to hit their target of $2bn by 2020.
See the top five destinations for New Zealand wine exports by value are USA, UK, Australia, Canada and the Netherlands. Demand from the USA has propelled New Zealand exports forward in the past year.
Exports to Australia had stopped increasing, but Green said that producers were forced to allocate supplies to the most profitable markets.
Sauvignon Blanc made up around 86% of exports by volume in the past year, but the trade body sounded a note of caution over Brexit; New Zealand has been discussing a free trade agreement with the EU.
‘Wine exports to the EU are valued at over $500 million, and the benefits for our sector from a robust deal with the EU are obvious,’ said Green.
‘Brexit has clearly complicated matters, but our ambition to improve access into both the EU and UK markets is not diminished by this development.’
