Producers from Champagne fear that coronavirus will threaten potential export sales to Asia.
A fifth-generation champagne producer said:
“I mean everything has stopped in China completely,” she said.
France exports several products to China, including automobiles, pharmaceuticals and wine. The French finance minister said that China is the second largest export market for French wine. Champagne exports to China have increased recently.
Champagne exports declined from 301.9 million bottles in 2018 to 297.5 million in 2019, according to the latest figures published by the Comite Champagne. Despite the dip in exports, the Comite Champagne estimates that the region brought in $5.4 billion in sales.