German wine exports rise in value; but fall in volume
The average export price for German wines reached a new high: according to the German Wine Institute (DWI), the average price paid to producers ex-cellar for a litre of exported wine rose by 20c to €3.15 compared to the previous year. This is 11c above the previous maximum value of € 3.04 from 2018 and twice as high as 20 years ago. In the export markets, the wines are usually traded at significantly higher prices, depending on mark-ups due to taxes and distribution margins.
"This development is also due to price adjustments that were needed against the background of the sharp rise in production costs. However, it is also in line with the industry's long-term goal of exporting more higher-quality wines from German wine regions in order to increase added value," explained DWI managing director Monika Reule.
Record prices in top four export markets
The top markets for German wine exports are the USA, Norway and the Netherlands.
In 2022, German wine exporters achieved new record prices in these markets. For wines destined for the USA and Norway, the average price was 50 and 56 cents per litre higher than in the previous year. German wines for the USA cost an average of €4.32 /l last year and €4.40 /l for Norway.
However, the increased prices also resulted in a decline in wine exports of 13% in both markets.
In the Netherlands, the price level for wine is significantly lower. But even there, after an increase of 16%, the average ex-cellar revenue per litre rose to a new record of €2.10 /litre.
German wine exports to China were particularly successful last year. Now counted as the fifth most important wine export market, they reached a new record value selling 45,000 hectolitres with the highest average price to date, of €5.12 /l. Compared to 2021, this corresponds to a volume increase of 24%, with a value increase of 22% to €23m.
This means German wines now rank in seventh place in China in terms of the most important wine importing nations. "The younger consumers in China in particular are increasingly discovering German Riesling for themselves. It is also being recommended more and more often by young sommeliers there," said Reule.
Export formats
In 2022, 87% of German wines were exported in bottles. For quality wines or wines with a protected designation of origin (PDO), the share of bottled wines was even higher at 93%. The share of exports in larger containers is increasing for country wines or wines with a protected geographical indication (PGI) and products in the "German wine" category. A share of 19% was exported in bag-in-box packaging and 11% as bulk wine.
