Monday, 09 March 2015 14:52

Record wine exports mark the start of vintage 2015

Written by Rural News Group

font size decrease font size increase font size
Print
Email

Wine exports have reached a record high and now stand at $1.37 billion, up 8.2%, propelling wine to New Zealand's 6th biggest export product.

This strong demand in key markets bodes well for the wine industry, whose 2015 grape harvest is now underway.

Prospects for a high quality vintage are looking very positive due to the superb summer weather says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.

"The warm dry summer of 2015 has been absolutely perfect for growing and ripening grapes. As we move into autumn the prospect is for an outstanding, albeit smaller, vintage in all our grape-growing regions".

Although the expectation is that the 2015 vintage will be significantly smaller than last year, Gregan says the sales in the year ahead will be supported by retained stocks from vintage 2014.

More like this

Gene Technology Bill: Impact on Winegrowers and New Zealand Winegrowers' Response

Genetic modification has long been a topic of hot debate.

Bulk wine exports surpass packaged wine volumes

Data from February 2025 shows volumes of bulk wine exports exceeded packaged wine.

2025 - making it positive

OPINION: The New Year is well underway, and in January the first grapes of the new vintage were harvested in Northland. So, another year begins.

Vintage requiring cooperation

OPINION: A common refrain last year was 'survive 'til 25', including from those in New Zealand's wine industry facing rising costs, surplus wine and sluggish export sales.

From the CEO: A changing trade environment

Did you know that nearly 90% of total New Zealand wine sales occur offshore? That simple number means our wine businesses are the most export oriented of all the global wine industries. It also makes our sector especially sensitive to any changes in the trade rules that govern the access of our wines into international markets.