The year 2008 saw a year-on-year growth of 14%. In terms of volume a total of 88.6 million liter of wine were exported, giving an average yield of around $9 a liter or a healthy $6.50 (US$4.6) a bottle.
The Chairman of New Zealand Winegrowers, Stuart Smith said that a focus on quality and a strong, unified industry were major factors in the 2008 results. "Each year we have made projections about sales and growth and each year these are fulfilled and often surpassed. This year is no exception," he said proudly.
"It's exciting to see the exports of New Zealand wine growing each year in both our key export markets and emerging markets such as Japan and Ireland, which are brimming with potential.
During last year, Australia became the largest export market by value for New Zealand wines, absorbing about 25% of exports in value. This was a 37% jump from the previous year.
National production jumped 40 per cent with a 60 percent growth achieved by wineries in Marlborough even though Gisborne and Hawke's Bay regions produced 8 percent and 18 percent respectively, as they suffered from frost and cool weather flowering.
Total sales of New Zealand wines including the domestic consumption was around NZ$1.25 billion (US$891 million). More than two thirds of New Zealand wine is exported, with Australia, UK and USA as the key markets. Exports to Canada increased 64 percent as liquor trade boards across the country added New Zealand wines to their portfolios. Markets in Asia showed strong growth with India not lagging behind.
(Conversion: 100 NZ$=US$ 71.30) |