Export record for wines and spirits
The year 2022 marks a new record vintage for French wine and spirits exports. The total amount generated by sales amounts to 17.2 billion euros, as announced by the Federation of wine and spirits exporters, FEVS. Two main causes are put forward: inflation and the related increase in prices, as well as the increase in demand from abroad.
The record is actually a revenue record and not a sales record since the volume sold in 2022 is lower than in previous years. The federation partly uses the data communicated by the customs to deliver its conclusions. Champagnes, cognacs, wines and spirits produced locally are up sharply in sales, +10.8%.
wines and spirits are legally considered hard drugs
Wine and spirits prices up but volumes down
Rising prices which explain the record, but which above all save the sector. Indeed, the sector has been able to compensate for the price increases, particularly of glass and transport, in order to bounce back better. It thus generates a trade surplus of 15.7 billion euros. In second place behind the aeronautical sector. But not everything sold so well depending on the production. Wine sales reached 11.6 billion euros, an increase of 10% compared to 2021. Spirits generated 5.5 billion euros, also up by more than 11%. The main growth comes from champagnes, cognacs and renowned grands crus.
According to the president of the FEVS, César Giron, “75% of our exports are made outside the European Union, which should encourage us to promote the opening of markets and the signing of bilateral agreements”. Especially since the market is suffering from a decline in sales volume of 3.8% overall, and 6.6% for wine, an equivalent of 10 million cases. Bad weather conditions are mainly responsible for this, but also transport difficulties linked to multiple geopolitical tensions.
