In volume terms, French spirits exports in the first half of 2018 grew 4% to 25 million cases, according to the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux de France (FEVS).
Cognac was the most important export, up by 9%, followed by liqueurs (4%) and vodka (3%). Export sales of wine and spirits in the USA, France’s largest drinks market, grew 2.5% by value and 8.5% in volume.
Income from exports to Asia grew by 2% to €1.5bn while European Union sales rebounded with a 5% increase to €2bn. The UK “remains well orientated despite the uncertainties of Brexit”, up by 3.5% in value.
French wine exports grew by 5% to €4.2bn (US$4.9bn), with volumes up by 1%.
The President of FEVS, said: “The weak harvest in 2017 is starting to weigh on our shipments and probably again in the coming months.
“This decline, however, did not affect the total value of exports in an international market that combines dynamism and uncertainty.”
In 2017, French spirits exports rose 6% to €4.2bn (US$5.1bn), boosted by the double-digit growth of Cognac.