In the first quarter of 2024, Austria's wine import market demonstrated remarkable stability, with a total import volume of 0.18 million hectoliters.
This figure represents a slight year-on-year increase of 0.5%, underscoring a steady demand for foreign wines among Austrian consumers.
This period highlights the dynamic nature of Austria’s wine import industry, marked by the performance of key exporting countries.
Italy continued to solidify its position as the leading wine exporter to Austria, with 0.11 million hectoliters imported during this period. This marks a 2% increase compared to the same quarter in the previous year.
Germany followed as the second-largest wine exporter to Austria, with imports totaling 0.03 million hectoliters, reflecting a significant 9% year-on-year increase. German wines, particularly Rieslings and other white varieties, have found a growing audience in Austria.
Hungary, another notable exporter, saw a decrease in its wine exports to Austria. The country exported 0.02 million hectoliters of wine, marking a 7.4% decline compared to the first quarter of 2023.
Both North Macedonia and France experienced notable declines in their wine exports to Austria. North Macedonia exported 0.01 million hectoliters, a significant drop of 28.4% year-on-year. Similarly, France’s exports amounted to 0.01 million hectoliters, down by 19%.
The overall stability in Austria’s wine imports, with minor fluctuations among key exporters, highlights a market driven by consistent consumer demand and evolving preferences. Italian and German wines are gaining traction, reflecting their growing popularity and the dynamic nature of Austria's wine consumption patterns. Meanwhile, the declines from Hungary, North Macedonia, and France suggest that these countries may need to adapt to changing market conditions to regain their foothold in the Austrian market.
Source: Eurostat