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India Imports more Aussie Bulk than BIO

Posted: Friday, 14 January 2011 10:38

India Imports more Aussie Bulk than BIO

A quick analysis of the annual figures released by Wine Australia on Tuesday implying that the export of an equivalent of 66,600 cases of wine, which is almost thrice the estimated number of cases of BIO wines imported into India in 2010, indicates that the balance majority was bulk wine, something that no producer in India is willing to admit, writes Subhash Arora.

In the absence of release of any reliable data by the Indian authorities, only a query through RTI (Right To Information Act) could perhaps unveil the mystery of bulk importers, but the credible and creditable annual reports by Wine Australia (previously Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation- AWBC) during the past several years have been continuously indicative that there was a higher import of bulk wine than bottled wine.

Import of bulk wine is a good way of saving costs of winemaking and Australia offers a wide choice, as Chinese importers have discovered. The first winery in the state of Haryana called Nirvana Biosys, has even started manufacturing wine locally by importing the juice concentrate and fermenting in stainless steel tanks. To their credit, they proudly announce the fact and pay the excise and other duties as applicable by law.

Import of bulk wine is allowed on the payment of 150% customs duty of the c.i.f. value, same as bottled-in-origin (BIO) wines. However, Maharashtra has exempted excise duty for the state-produced wines but levies an exorbitant 150% special excise duty on domestic wine imported from other states like Karnataka. Their neighbouring state of Goa has no laws or disincentives against such practices. A small quantity of bulk wine is indeed imported there, but reportedly not from Australia.

The import of Australian bottled wine was estimated to be around 20,000 cases in 2010, a majority of it being the ubiquitous Jacobs Creek. Giving the benefit of higher exports of another 30%, making it to 26,000, about 40,000 cases (or equivalent thereof) seem to be unaccountable or inexplicable and can only be ascribed to bulk wine.

If not RTI, details by Wine Australia could possibly help Australian wine-watchers in India form a clearer picture. Interestingly, the volume of 599,558 liters imported, according to the release, claims 55% increase over the previous year which was a disastrous year for the Indian wine Industry due to the after effects of the 26/11 terrorist attack. Most importers reported a disastrous 2009-10 since the imported wine business had really opened up in 2001, when the government of India allowed free imports of wine, beer and spirits (but with duties at over 600%).

Aussie strategy to focus on the Chinese market when they hit a major road bump and recession about three years ago, seems to have paid off with the exports to China touching 55 million liters compared to the meagre 0.6 million liters to India. The increase in bottled and bulk wine to China has continued to grow strongly and there is nothing to suggest it will slow in the short-term, according to a spokesman of Wine Australia.

Chinese laws not only allow the import of bulk wine, but also allow the domestic industry to use a maximum of 85% in their production in order to classify it as a local wine.

Wine Australia report places the national wine exports to 781 million liters, up 2 per cent though there was a decline of 9 % in terms of value at A$2.1 billion.

For a related earlier article, read my Blog written two years ago:

Australian Wine Made in India

You may also find the following earlier articles interesting :

Australian Bulk Wine Exports Plummet

Australian Export Figures to India Puzzle

Subhash Arora

Comments:

 
 

Dimas Says:

Hello to everybody, I´m Export Manager of one of the biggest wineries in the world, for bottling wine the label must be printed with some rules all over the world. size of volume of quantity in ml or cl more than 4mm like the alcohol degree in %, not consuption for pregnant,…. and contáins sulphites. For bulk wine is in bulk so do not need. the documents for both are the same, Origin certificate, analysis made by an official laboratory, invoice, parking list and BL to retry the goods from port. If you ask to any supplier ask him always the price with incoterm CIF so he must give you the price to the port you choose, if you need more info I will be grateful to answer you. best regards.

Posted @ January 19, 2017 11:35

 

Harshawardhan Apte Says:

So what kind of duties is this Haryana based Nirvana Biosys paying? Is it on juice or wine?

Posted @ January 18, 2011 14:58

 

dkraju Says:

In Chennai,Burma Bazar can get you any label but genuineness will depend on customer and it can be door delivered. An open secret but no one dare talk about it. Availability of genuine wine must be coming from bottling of bulk wine imported. If check posts turn a blind eye, any thing can go on. Speaking the truth I already got into problems with Customs.

Posted @ January 18, 2011 13:50

 

Subhash Arora Says:

Thanks, Shankar. If you lay your hands let me have the info. I will try to get the info. Actually, it is quite cumbersome and expensive to get the figures of each port and then collate. Subhash Arora

Posted @ January 18, 2011 13:35

 

B.Shankaranarayan Says:

Subhash, Import data including name of importer, item, HTS classification, fob/cif value, quantity etc. for each port of import is available from many import-export websites like infodrive, cybex etc. Any business that subscribes this service can get the data. The Customs HS code head is 2204 and subhead for wine is 22041000

Posted @ January 18, 2011 13:29

 

Subhash Arora Says:

Thanks, Shankar. If you lay your hands let me have the info. I will try to get the info. Actually, it is quite cumbersome and expensive to get the figures of each port and then collate. Subhash Arora

Posted @ January 18, 2011 13:35

 

B.Shankaranarayan Says:

Subhash, Import data including name of importer, item, HTS classification, fob/cif value, quantity etc. for each port of import is available from many import-export websites like infodrive, cybex etc. Any business that subscribes this service can get the data. The Customs HS code head is 2204 and subhead for wine is 22041000

Posted @ January 18, 2011 13:29

 

Rajiv Seth Says:

Good as long as these cheap imports are not blended with Indian wines, as was the case with Russia where a lot of cheap imports from Argintina and Chile was used for blending and consiquently hamper the growth of Russian wine industry.Hope India will soon form its own wine regulations and impose restrictins on such blendings to protect its wine grape growers . - Rajiv Seth

Posted @ January 18, 2011 11:36

 

Subhash Arora Says:

Your guess is as good as mine, my friend. However, I hope some readers will throw some light on the issue. I plan to go for an RTI application and try getting info from Wine Australia too- whatever I get would be a matter of public record and facts. Cheers. Subhash Arora

Posted @ January 17, 2011 17:00

 

Rajeev Samant Says:

So where do you think that bulk is going, Subhash? Do share your unparalleled knowlege with us!

Posted @ January 17, 2011 16:47

 
       

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