Agrifrance has revealed that the United States wine market has been the world leader for wine consumption in recent years, with French wine remaining as the country’s favourite.
Agrifrance, a specialist division of BNP Paribas Wealth Management, has published its annual report on the agricultural and rural economy, this year including an analysis of the United States wine market, which has been the world’s top market for wine consumption since 2013.
The main conclusions of the report are that: the world wine market is expected to grow, with an increase of 3.5% by 2018, with the US remaining the main growth driver; the US has the 5th largest wine-growing area and is the 4th largest market in terms of production, behind Italy, France and Spain; California produces 90% of wines produced in the US; French wines remain the undisputed leaders in the US top-end segment and rosé wine market.
Benoit Léchenault, Head of Agrifrance, stated that: “Prospects are very favourable in the United States for French wines, which set a benchmark in the market. Despite stiff competition, French products enjoy a number of advantages.”
While French vineyards are losing ground to new-world producers and French wine-growers continue to face many challenges, France nevertheless remains an undisputed leader in the US top-end segment (premium and ultra-premium) and in the rosé market.
The United States is the top customer for France’s Provence region, buying 36% of wine exports from the region. Italy is still the number one wine supplier to the United States, with 28% of volume and 31% of value. However, France, with only 11.6% of volume, enjoys an excellent image and remains a benchmark for top-end wines. France ranks second on market share by value, with 29%
