| Austrian wine exports rise again |
| Written by Lucy Britner |
| Thursday, 17 January 2013 11:07 |
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Austrian wine exports increased in value in 2012 while volumes slipped for the second year, according to provisional figures from Statistik Austria and the Austrian Wine Marketing Board (AWMB). Exports in 2012 totalled 46 million litres - down from 46.5 million in 2011, which in turn was a 25% fall on 2010. Sales reached € 128.5 million up from € 126 million, which was up 2.6% on 2010. The trade bodies said late frost resulted in low quantities of the country's star grape Grüner Veltliner. "This white wine shortage, which was becoming evident already in Spring, led to high bulk wine prices and a supply bottleneck for the low price categories up to € 2. Nevertheless, export revenues increased because of growth in the higher price segments," said an AWMB spokesman. The average export price of bulk wine rose to € 2.79 per litre last year due to teh low quantities available, at 8 million litres. Willi Klinger, the general manager of the Austrian Wine Marketing Board, said: "Austrian wine is no longer available at a cheap price. But our winemakers have been able to convince consumers at home and abroad that their quality wines deserve a fair price. And this is vital for the future of viniculture in our country because of the local cost structure." 40 million litres - 90% - of Austrian wine is exported to the EU. Germany remains Austria's top market, representing approximately 60% of all export revenue. This is followed by Switzerland and the US - where turnover recovered to pre-economic crisis level. The Netherlands, Belgium, Norway, Finland, Italy, Japan and China also performed well. |
