Increasing sales for German wine exporters

According to the German Wine Institute (DWI), the average price paid by producers for a litre of wine abroad rose again by 20 cents to 3.35 euros compared to the previous year's high. This is the average ex-farm price, which is still subject to mark-ups for taxes and distribution margins in the individual export markets.

With the higher average price, the total value of German wine exports also increased in 2023 compared to the previous year. However, the increase in value of four per cent to 384 million euros was offset by a slight decline in export volume of two per cent to 1.15 million hectolitres.

„We certainly consider it a success that companies were able to at least partially offset the increased production costs on most export markets last year by adjusting prices accordingly. This is because German exporters are competing on the highly competitive international markets with producer countries where wines can be produced much more cheaply, not least due to significantly lower minimum wages, said DWI Managing Director Monika Reule.

Significant plus in Sweden

German wine exports to Sweden were particularly successful in 2023. At 80,000 hectolitres, 22 per cent more wines were exported to this wine export market, which ranks sixth in the export statistics, than in the previous year. The export value rose by 29 per cent to 20 million euros.

According to the Swedish alcohol monopoly Systembolaget, German wines achieved the second-highest turnover in the white wine segment for the first time in 2023. In terms of sales, German white wines have moved up to third place in Sweden.

German wine exports to Finland were also positive in 2023. Three per cent more wines were exported to the Swedish neighbour and sales increased by nine per cent.

Dynamic export development in Poland

Poland made it to fourth place in the ranking of the most important export destinations for German wines for the first time last year after a 16 per cent increase in the value of wine exports to 26 million euros. Export volumes remained stable at 109,000 hectolitres. Compared to 2013, the value of wine exports to the neighbouring country has thus quadrupled and the volume tripled.

The top 3 for German wine exports

German wine exporters also achieved a strong increase of ten per cent in value with unchanged sales in the Netherlands, the third most important wine export market.

In the two most important countries for German wines, the USA and Norway, average prices rose by 21 and 28 cents per litre respectively last year. In the USA, Riesling & Co. cost an average of 4.53 €/l and 4.68 €/l in Norway. However, the higher prices also resulted in a seven per cent drop in wine exports in the USA and a two per cent drop in Norway.

The four most important export destinations, the USA, Norway, the Netherlands and Poland, together accounted for 41 per cent of the total value and volume of German wine exports last year.