Global sales grow by 1.09%, to 252 million bottles. Particularly noteworthy is the 24.59% increase in organic Cavas.
The domestic market has catapulted Cava sales during 2023 towards a new record figure in its historical record, approaching 252 million bottles (2.7 million more than in 2022). Globally it has grown by 1.09%. Sales in the domestic market have increased by 4.02%, and have fallen very slightly in foreign markets (0.25%), weighed down by inflation in the main European markets and also by the drop in sales in the United States.
The president of the DO Cava Regulatory Council, Javier Pagés, highlights the strength of Cava. He assures that "despite the economic and geopolitical turbulence, our products continue to recover ground in the national market and increase positions while our main global competitors have experienced a significant decline." At the same time, Javier Pagés wanted to highlight the sector's efforts by betting on organic productions. He also sees the near future with optimism, despite the serious effects caused by the persistent drought, as long as "we are able to work together and create wealth throughout the sector's value chain."
The president of the DO Cava Regulatory Council also wanted to highlight the positioning of Cava as the sparkling wine that grew the most in Spain during 2023 both in volume (3.9%, representing 87.7% of the total) and in value ( 10.6%, reaching 78.8% of the total). "The increase in quality sparkling wines in Spain reflects that the consumer increasingly appreciates and seeks higher quality Cavas," according to Javier Pagés.
Germany, with a growth of 4.14% (31.1 million bottles were imported into this market) solidly led the export ranking for Cava. The United States remains in second position with 21.6 million bottles, despite a slight decrease in sales of 13.48%. Belgium is the third best market, where sales have grown by 5.44% and have reached 22 million bottles. In a post-Brexit United Kingdom, Cava sold 16.8 million bottles last year, and is experiencing a growth of 5.38%. And spectacular have been the figures obtained in the Brazilian market during 2023: with a sales increase of 75.82%, although only 1.9 million bottles of Cava are still sold in this emerging market.
If there is a category that has stood out especially, it is that of organic Cavas. The success of the DO CAVA's commitment to ecology, sustainability and products with greater added value with long aging gives evidence of unprecedented growth. The organic Cava category stands out, as a result of the new regulations that indicate the year 2025 as decisive for the entire Guarda Superior category to be 100% ecological. While products obtained from conventional agriculture saw sales decrease by 1.65%, organic Cavas grew by 24.59%. 32.3 million bottles with organic certification are already sold.
Among the notable trends of 2023, rosé Cavas manage to advance positions, growing by 3.31% and reaching 23.5 million bottles sold. 2023 has been the first year that Cavas de Guarda Superior has been put on the market with the new minimum aging regulations of 18 months for Cavas de Guarda Superior Reserva (15 months previously), with an ecological vocation from specific vineyards. Javier Pagés affirms that "the new segmentation of Cava has given a boost to the sector", and he also wanted to highlight the growing Elaborador Integral Cavas.
Source: Vinetur