Drinks

Tough times for Australian wine as exports to UK and US tumble

Shipments to the US fell 8 per cent from a year earlier while exports were down 7 per cent overall

In traditional markets for Australian wine, the decline in demand is being felt the most in lower price segments while premium wine is still finding growth, Wine Australia said.

Australian wine exporters are facing incredibly tough conditions, with an economic slowdown and increased competition from other beverages hurting sales to its biggest markets in the UK and US.

Exports to the UK posted a 20 per cent decline in value in the year to end-March, data from government marketing and research body Wine Australia show. Shipments to the US fell 8 per cent from a year earlier. Overall exports were down 7 per cent.