Australian wine exports to the UK fell by 3% to $343m and by 9% in volume terms, according to figures from Wine Australia.
Global exports declined by 8% in value to $2.34bn and 6% in volume to 613m litres. The average value of exports decreased by 3% to $3.81 per litre.
Wine Australia’s Peter Bailey said the performance chimed with the long-term trend of declining wine consumption in major markets.
“Consumers are reducing overall alcohol consumption in line with wellness trends and in order to save money as the cost-of-living increases,” he said.
“For wine exporters around the world, trade barriers and regional conflicts are also making it more difficult and costly to get product into markets.”
Exports to mainland China had the biggest impact on the decline in value, with shipments down by 17%, following the initial restocking period after the removal of import tariffs on Australian wine.
More than half of Australia’s export volumes go to the UK and the US, markets that Wine Australia noted “are facing very tough headwinds, including changing consumer habits with preferences away from wine drinking occasions and increased cost-of-living”.
