Cognac exports reached their highest ever level in 2016,mainly because of the expansion of the North American Free Trade Agreement (Nafta) zone, according to the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC).
AFter a positive 2015, Cognac exports continued to rise last year; a total of 179.1 million bottles of Cognac were exported in 2016, translating to a turnover of €2.76 billion (£2.42m).
The Nafta area continues the leading market for Cognac exports, according to BNIC, with 77.3 million bottles exported in 2016. This has been attributed to a steady increase in shipments to the USA – Cognac’s largest market for the past 25 years – with 74.1 million bottles shipped in 2016 alone.
Exports to the Far East were stable during the same period. A stabilising market in China remains an important factor in levelling regional results, BNIC said.