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China’s Wine Imports Down 7% in 2021

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China’s total wine importation in 2021 faltered in comparison to the previous year as the market’s former biggest partner pulled out its supplies given hefty tariffs.

Last year, China bought a total of US$1.7 billion wines from overseas, which is 7% lesser than the prior year. 

French wines made up the bulk of the country’s importation, rising by 48% year on year to US$752 million. 

Wines from Chile, Italy, and Spain followed, showing yearly increases of 51%, 44%, and 49%. 

While virtually out of the market since the formal imposition of over 200% tariffs in March, Australian wines remained a significant portion of imported wines in China at a value of US$55 million. That, however, represented a year on year crash of 92%.

American importers replaced their Argentinian peers at the sixth spot of top wine importers to China, bringing in a total of US$40.7 million wines in 2021. The latter still grew its importation by 33% to US$37 million. 

South African wines, which only came in on the top 10 list last year, more than doubled in China to a value of US$34 million.

Completing this list are wines from New Zealand and Germany, which both expanded by 50% and 31%, respectively.

By category, China saw a 12% drop in the value of 2 liter or less imported wines. It received 44% more wines of more than 2 liters but less than 10 liters last year while other wines of more than 2 liters increased by 17%.

In December alone, wine importation dwindled by 5% to a value of US$171 million.

China’s Top 10 Wine Exporters in 2021 vs 2020

Rank Country Value in 2021 Value in 2020 % Change
1 France US$752,656,521 US$508,163,039 +48%
2 Chile US$331,853,196 US$220,173,789 +51%
3 Italy US$165,326,328 US$115,039,040 +44%
4 Spain US$146,024,192 US$97,787,901 +49%
5 Australia US$55,339,889 US$712,701,863 -92%
6 United States US$40,724,088 US$23,239,337 +75%
7 Argentina US$37,472,005 US$28,120,145 +33%
8 South Africa US$34,388,715 US$15,283,567 +125%
9 New Zealand US$27,317,728 US$18,265,359 +50%
10 Germany US$27,148,967 US$20,725,780 +31%
Total US$1,690,174,374 US$1,825,074,464 -7%
Source: China Customs

Wine Categories in 2021 vs 2020

Bottled Wine Size Value in 2021 Value in 2020 % Change
In containers holding 2 liters or less US$1,457,061,645 US$1,653,099,124 -12%
In containers holding more than 2 liters but less than 10 liters US$12,090,621 US$8,418,477 +44%
In containers holding more than 2 liters US$107,390,162 US$91,587,241 +17%
Source: China Customs

China’s Top 10 Wine Exporters in December 2021 vs 2020

Rank Country Value in 2021 Value in 2020 % Change
1 France US$83,240,954 US$73,798,604 +13%
2 Chile US$23,966,475 US$24,232,640 -1%
3 Spain US$19,879,231 US$13,153,850 +51%
4 Italy US$16,244,540 US$15,448,074 +5%
5 United States US$5,355,206 US$2,592,682 +107%
6 South Africa US$4,783,009 US$1,551,509 +208%
7 Argentina US$3,270,826 US$3,185,853 +3%
8 New Zealand US$3,269,094 US$2,494,951 +31%
9 Germany US$2,521,941 US$2,367,921 +7%
10 Georgia US$1,909,611 US$1,522,449 +25%
Total US$171,097,963 US$179,077,532 -5%
Source: China Customs

Wine Categories in December 2021 vs 2020

Bottled Wine Size Value in 2021 Value in 2020 % Change
In containers holding 2 liters or less US$149,526,805 US$160,756,396 -7%
In containers holding more than 2 liters but less than 10 liters US$1,610,496 US$931,658 +73%
In containers holding more than 2 liters US$4,846,422 US$8,695,485 -44%
Source: China Customs

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