"We are closing a difficult year, but our product has managed to hold on to the positions gained in the past," reportedly said Andrea Sartori, chairman of the Unione Italiana Vini (UIV). The exports were hit because of the increasing competition from the USA, Argentina, Chile and South Africa , he added.
Wine export volumes dropped 7 percent to 17.8 million hectoliters in 2008, but its value increased by 2 percent to € 3.6 billion said the statement.
Exports to Germany, the biggest market of Italian wine by volume, decreased by 10 percent to 5.6 million hLs, while exports to France and Austria plunged even more at 27 percent and 26 percent respectively, UIV said.
Sales of Italian wine on the U.S. market, its biggest export destination in terms of value and the third-largest in volume, fell 4 percent to € 800 million. Sales volumes dropped by 2 percent, UIV said.
Italian wine export to the duty-free Hong Kong, seen as a hub and gateway to China, sky rocketed 29 percent. UAE saw even more explosive growth of 50 percent in volume and more than doubled in value, UIV said.
The reputation of Italian wines took a hit last year in the USA because of the investigations that took place regarding the authenticity of Brunello di Montalcino 2003 from some producers. Montepulciano in Tuscany was also involved in some controversy.
'The challenge for this and coming years will be, to be ever more competitive, improving an average quality of our products and boosting communication about the value of Italian wine,’ said Sartori
In India, the authentic figures are not available for this period as we use a fiscal year from April-March. But looking at the increasing number of importers marketing Italian wines and a spurt in the Italian labels, the growth in the Indian market with a small base is expected to be upwards of 20%.
For an interview with Andrea Sartori visit Corriere del Vino website. |