Despite the shortage of raw materials, wine exports break records
Visitors to the Vinexpo fair in Paris taste wine during the 2022 edition (illustration image).
AFP - STEPHANE DE SAKUTIN
Text by: Agnieszka Kumor
6 mins
Exports of French wines and spirits set a new record.
Nearly 17.2 billion euros were exported in 2022, in particular to the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany.
A success for French producers, despite the difficult context caused by the war in Ukraine and inflation.
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They constitute the second item on the trade balance of France, after aerospace.
Obviously, it was French wines and spirits that recorded their new historic record.
Two figures to remember: 17.2 billion euros reached in 2022, an increase of 10.8% compared to 2021. Figures announced on the occasion of the Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris trade fair by the Federation of Exporters of wines and spirits of France (FEVS) and which show the resilience of the sector in the degraded global context, rejoices Antoine Leccia, president of the AdVini group and vice-president of the Federation of Exporters of Wines and Spirits of France (FEVS).
"
This result is quite remarkable.
The upward trend has been very clear for several years.
Basically, it's more than a billion euros of progress per year.
A very regular trend, therefore, where France exports better.
In particular, these great brands and its premium wines.
With in mind: champagne, cognac, high quality spirits.
Exports carried by large companies, but also by the entire sector.
»
►Also read: Wine Paris-Vinexpo 2023: Paris, capital of the wine planet
Of course, Antoine Leccia admits, part of this increase, particularly in value, was caused by the global geopolitical and economic context which contributed to the rise in prices.
“
Some figures are a bit misleading.
Like, for example, exports of still wines, that is to say of all wines with the exception of champagnes and sparkling wines.
Their turnover is essentially due to the resumption of inflation.
»
The Americans appreciate, the Chinese sulk
The United States remains the engine of this growth.
It is the leading consumer country of French wines and spirits with a turnover up 14% compared to 2021 (to 4.7 billion euros).
Consumption that goes upmarket.
“It is the wines that are valued.
And valued wines sell better, and more and more,”
says the vice-president of FEVS.
On the second market, the United Kingdom, exports of wines and spirits will increase by 7% in 2022 (to reach 1.7 billion euros) thanks in particular to the major brands of champagne, very popular with the British.
As for still wines, they are also progressing across the Channel, but only in value, while they are falling in volume.
Finally, the good news comes from Asia.
While the third market for French wines and spirits, China, remained sluggish due to health restrictions (barely 0.5% increase), the Southeast Asia region was very dynamic in many countries. , which are posting double-digit increases like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan.
New markets are developing, such as Vietnam in particular.
The FEVS remains confident: China will come back.
Despite the good results recorded on the North American market, all is not rosy.
And in particular, the Airbus-Boeing taxes, suspended until 2026 by the American president, Joe Biden, but not lifted definitively.
César Giron, president of the Federation of Exporters of Wines and Spirits of France, appealed to European and American leaders "
to bury the ax of this war
" whose collateral victims are French products.
"
It's just a suspension.
However, we should take advantage of a slightly calmer climate between the United States and Europe to try to find a definitive solution to this conflict,”
concludes the president of the FEVS.
Uncertain outlook in 2023
For 2023, the outlook remains uncertain.
The wine sector is resisting thanks in particular to new inventions that reduce production costs, while working for the climate.
The Wine Paris & Vinexpo Paris show serves as their showcase for this.
And it's the champagnes that show the way with an unusual solution...
It is a piece of aluminum fabric that protects the champagne cork and is called: the cap.
As with glass, cardboard or wooden crates, champagne producers are finding it difficult to obtain them because of tensions on the raw materials markets.
Following the Covid crisis, then the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the aluminum market was totally disorganized and prices jumped by more than 50%, according to data from Insee and FranceAgriMer.
One solution, however, could be a game-changer and help producers: paper.
"
It is a fully recyclable material, made from wood from Swedish forests, which are themselves sustainable.
In Champagne, we've gotten used to seeing smooth, shiny, aluminum-based things on our bottles.
Well there, we have a material that recalls nature, the terroir.
Finally, in the image of the preciousness that is champagne
”, specifies Laurent Panigai, general manager of the General Syndicate of Champagne Winegrowers (SGV).
Concern for the environment
But beware, this paper cap is not a cheap champagne, protests David Gaudinat, co-owner of Champagne Gaudinat-Boivin and member of the Syndicate Bureau.
“
On the contrary!
The environmental value of the product as designed can only increase.
There is the luxury side of champagne, it is undeniable.
But our consumers are also sensitive to the climate aspect.
We can only succeed
”
.
The winemaker has no doubts: he will put these eco-friendly caps on his bottles.
And what do other professionals in the sector think?
Eliott Pennotel, consultant and wine buyer, applauds the initiative which offers an alternative to the traditional aluminum-based cap.
“
Everyone can find what they are looking for: producers as well as consumers.
Without forgetting the artistic side of a paper cap, likely to give a second life to champagne
”
.
To begin with, several hundred thousand paper caps should be made available to Champagne winegrowers by their union from next spring.
This announcement comes as champagne sales exceeded the symbolic bar of six billion euros for the first time.
326 million bottles of this sparkling wine were shipped in 2022, the highest volume for 15 years, underlined Maxime Toubart, president of the General Union of Winegrowers and co-president of the interprofession.
43.9% of production is sold in France and 56.1% for export (
source:
CIVC).
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