Wine exports exceed estimates
Highest value achieved
Compared with 2003, another successful year, the export volume of Austrian wines took an 11 percent dip last year, however their value increased significantly by more than 20 percent. Especially the rise in bottled wine exports reflected growing demand for Austrian quality. With a value increase of 37%, never before has so much Austrian bottled wine been exported.
"Despite the continuing pressures in the international wine market, Austrian vintners held their ground with better wines and clearly increased value," said AWMB Director Michael Thurner, who is proud of the positive wine export development.
Highest average prices in Switzerland and the USA
Taking in nearly 60% of Austrian wine exports, Germany is without a doubt the export darling of Austria´s vintners. But significant developments in other countries are underway as well: AWMB has an eye on the Czech Republic which, after several years of importing high amounts of bulk wine, is now demonstrating a strong potential for increasing its intake of higher-quality bottled wines. The highest average prices (with high volumes) presently are being reached in Switzerland and the USA. But also in Japan, the Netherlands and Norway, among others, demand for Austrian wine is continuously rising.
"The international wine world has finally discovered the top quality of our wines," said a beaming Michael Thurner. “And we will certainly increase our efforts again in this sector."