Wine exports from France remained notably stable during the first six months of the year, according to new data from consulting firm Del Rey AWM.
The total export volume reached 628.2 million liters, representing a modest decline of 1.8% compared to the same period in 2024. However, export value rose by 0.9%, totaling EUR 5.528 billion.
This result reinforces a pattern of stability observed since mid-2024, following two years of corrections in the global wine trade. It contrasts sharply with the downturn in 2023, when French wine exports experienced steep losses in volume, though partly offset by rising average prices.
Historical Trends: Pandemic Impact and Recovery
Over the past seven years, French wine exports have undergone dramatic fluctuations. The pandemic in 2020 delivered the most severe shock, with monthly declines of over 36% in April and May. A swift rebound followed in 2021, when exports surged by more than 60% in value and 20% in volume during the spring.
However, the momentum corrected downward between mid-2022 and mid-2024. Since then, the sector has entered a phase of relative stability, with the latest semester continuing this pattern.
Export Performance by Wine Type
The slight overall decline in volume is mainly linked to non-sparkling bottled wines, which fell by 3.5% (down 16 million liters). By contrast, two segments showed notable growth:
- Sparkling wines: up 5.9%, reaching 94 million liters.
- Bag-in-Box (BiB) wines: up 8.3%, totaling 27.7 million liters.
Within the sparkling category, PDO wines other than Champagne surged by 19.8%, while Champagne itself posted a healthy 4.6% increase.
On the value side, the stability of French exports is largely credited to sparkling wines and BiB formats:
- Sparkling wines: EUR 1.858 billion (+1.5%).
- Still packaged wines: EUR 3.485 billion (+0.3%).
- BiB wines: EUR 86.1 million (+10.8%).
The average export price rose by 2.7%, now at EUR 8.80 per liter. Bottled still wines climbed 3.9% (EUR 7.90 per liter), while BiB wines reached EUR 3.11 per liter. Sparkling wines, despite a 4.2% drop, remained the most expensive, averaging EUR 19.85 per liter.
Main Export Destinations
The United States, the United Kingdom, and Germany remain France’s top three export markets, representing around 40% of total export value and volume:
- United States: 20.7% of value and 14.3% of volume.
- United Kingdom: 12.4% of value and 11.6% of volume.
- Germany: 6.7% of value and 13.5% of volume.
The U.S. market performed strongly in the first half of the year, with a 6.8% increase in value and 2.4% in volume. In contrast, the U.K. saw declines in both value (-3.5%) and volume (-0.8%). Germany decreased in volume (-2.7%) but compensated with a revenue increase of 3.1%.
Sparkling Wine Exports by Market
- United States: +17.8% (EUR 394 million).
- United Kingdom: -12.7% (EUR 196 million).
- Japan: +22.4%.
- South Korea: -24.7%.
- China: -28.7%.
Still Wine Exports by Market
Moderate growth was recorded in the U.S. (+1.1%), the U.K. (+1.1%), Germany, and Canada. Declines occurred in Belgium (-2.5%), China (-22.5% in value, -34.6% in volume), Hong Kong (-16.8%), and several Baltic markets. On the other hand, Canada (+6.2%), Sweden (+11.7%), and Ireland (+5.4%) reported growth.
Regulatory Influences
Two regulatory developments played a key role in shaping trade flows this year:
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U.S. Tariff Threats
Anticipation of potential new tariffs following last year’s presidential election spurred importers to stock up on French wine. Preemptive buying led to double-digit growth in late 2024 and strong increases of over 15% in May and June 2025. -
U.K. Alcohol Taxation
New tax regulations on alcoholic beverages came into force in February 2025. While expected to negatively impact high-alcohol red wines, early figures suggest no significant disruption overall. Direct exports to the U.K. have shown slight growth since last August, sustaining a stable trend after two years of contraction.
Complicating the picture, some U.K.-bound trade is likely routed through Belgium due to post-BREXIT customs complexities, making direct flows harder to track.
Outlook
French wine exports are navigating global headwinds with resilience. Sparkling wines and innovative formats like Bag-in-Box are driving stability in value, while the U.S. market continues to underpin growth. Yet, challenges remain, particularly in Asia, where China and South Korea recorded steep declines.
The sector’s ability to adapt to tariff risks, taxation changes, and shifting consumer preferences will determine whether this current stability can be sustained in the second half of the year.
Source: Vinetur