SA: Wine export growth slows to lowest level in nine years

AAP General News (Australia)
12-07-2007
SA: Wine export growth slows to lowest level in nine years

ADELAIDE, Dec 7 AAP - The growth of Australia's wine exports has slowed to the lowest
level, by volume, in nine years, figures show.

Wine exports grew in volume terms by 44 million litres in the year ended November 2007,
the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation says.

That figure was the lowest incremental volume growth since 1998, the corporation's
latest wine export approval report showed.

But in value terms, the same 12-month period to the end of November recorded the biggest
increase in three years - an incremental rise of $227 million.

The result evidenced more exports of higher priced bottled wines, particularly reds,
and less of lower priced soft pack wines, the report said.

Overall, the 795 million litres exported in the year ended November was valued at $3.023
billion - an eight per cent rise on the corresponding 12 month period.

The United Kingdom (289 million litres valued at $980 million) remained the largest
export market, followed by the United States (211 million litres valued at $938 million)
and Canada (50 million litres valued at $289 million).

AAP sl/jnb/de

KEYWORD: WINE EXPORTS (WITH FACTBOX)

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