Austrian Wine Export Revenues Hit Record High

Austria's wine export revenues increased dynamically also in 2013, despite the year's smaller harvest of 2.4 million hl. According to the final export figures by Statistik Austria from July 2014 there was a 5% revenue increase, to 139 million euros, with a nearly constant quantity of 47 million litres. The average total export price climbed to 3 euro/litre – which marked the achievement of an important goal set by the Austrian wine sector. An essential factor for the success in 2013 was – yet again - the high share of bottled wine exports, which now represents 95% of the total export revenue.

As a result, the 2013 wine export revenues were significantly higher than in 2012, which totalled 139 million euros. “This is remarkable because the increase did not come from the traditionally strong markets of Germany, Switzerland and the USA, but from the former 'problem children' like Scandinavia, the Benelux countries and United Kingdom,” notes Willi Klinger, general manager of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB). “Plus the markets in the Central European neighbourhood gave optimistic signals as well.”

Particularly noteworthy is that Austrian wine exports to China increased by more than 23%, and an average price of more than 7 euro/litre was reached. The AWMB sees the potential for even further growth in the Chinese market.

The official export statistics to the European Community include re-exports. These should reflect no increase in 2013 over the previous year.

 

In recent years, the Austrian wine sector has undergone major structural changes. In 2009, there were just 1,000 wineries in Austria producing more than 30,000 litres of wine. By 2012, the number of wineries had increased to 1,600 (In 2012, there were 3,300 wineries in Austria producing less than 30,000 litres; in 2009, there were 5,500). This development, along with constant consumption in the domestic market, fueled competitive pressure at home.

Because of this, the importance of exporting wine has increased massively for Austria's winemakers. “Now it is not enough to be successful in a few export countries like Germany, Switzerland or the USA“, Willi Klinger explains. “Austrian wine is a niche product in all countries. Therefore we have to increase the number of countries in which this niche will be successful. There, on one hand we must defend the top of the premium segment, yet on the other hand we have to succeed at price levels where there are reasonable quantities and where the average export price is between three to five Euro/litre. We have already accomplished this in many European countries."
"The encouraging export data shows that the cooperation between the winemakers, merchants and the AWMB is successful," says Johannes Schmuckenschlager, the new president of the Austrian Wine Growers' Association. "The successful export figures indicate a high appreciation for Austrian wine abroad. This image has a positive effect also on the domestic market and adds to the value of the wineries."