Details

News

German wine exports rose significantly in 2021

01.03.2022

Exports of German wine increased in the past year. As the German Wine Institute (DWI) reports, the value of exported wines reached EUR 357 million, the highest level in more than ten years (EUR 355 million in 2010).


Compared to the previous year, the value of wine exports increased by 29 percent and the volume of exported wines by 27 percent to 1.2 million hectoliters. "However, this export growth should also be seen against the background of the partial easing of the corona regulations in many export markets and the changed consumer behavior due to the pandemic. In addition, since the punitive US tariffs ended in March last year, the stocks have been replenished," explains DWI Managing Director Monika Reule.

In 2021, for example, more orders were received from Germany’s most important wine export market, the USA. The volume of German wine exports increased eleven percent to 171,000 hectoliters and the value increased by 24 percent to 65 million euros.

Strong increases in value through upmarket wine purchases

German wine exporters were also able to achieve strong increases in value of 62 percent to 23 million euros in Great Britain. They benefited there from generally higher-quality wine purchases and from numerous new listings, especially in the specialist wine trade. The export volume amounted to 89,000 hectoliters, which corresponds to an increase in volume of 17 percent year-on-year.

Combined wine exports to the Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark also developed positively last year, with an increase of 15 percent in value and twelve percent in volume. They now make up around a fifth of the total wine export value and volume.

Reputation of German wines continues to rise

The highest average price among the top 10 wine exporting nations was achieved in China. At EUR 5.19 per liter, it was well above the average price for all exports of EUR 2.95 per liter. The value of German wine exports to China amounted to 19 million euros in 2021, which corresponds to an increase of 15 percent compared to the previous year.

Considering the growing reputation of German wines on many important foreign markets, the DWI's General Manager Monika Reule estimates that the positive trend in wine exports will continue this year.

Although wine exports to Russia had done very well over the past five years, they are likely to be exempt from this development for the time being due to the current crisis.  Since 2017, the export volume has increased from 9,000 hectoliters to 30,000 hectoliters and the value from two million to seven million euros. As a result, the Russian market rose from 23rd to 15th place in the ranking of the most important export countries for German wines.

More press releases

Downloads and statistics

Wines of Germany Worldwide

Reputation of German wines continues to rise

Compared to the previous year, the value of wine exports increased by 29 percent and the volume of exported wines by 27 percent to 1.2 million hectoliters