Between January and July 2025, China almost doubled its wine imports from Russia, according to data from the State Administration of Customs (SAC).
Yet, despite this strong percentage growth, Russian wine exports remain a small fraction of China’s overall imports compared to traditional wine-producing powerhouses.
Import Growth and Monthly Trends
From January to July, China imported USD 1.308 million worth of wine from Russia, compared to USD 713,400 in the same period of 2024. However, the monthly figures highlight volatility. Imports peaked in April 2025 at USD 444,700, but later slowed: in June they amounted to USD 124,700, and in July they dropped to USD 97,000, down from USD 111,800 in July 2024.
Russia vs. Global Competitors
Despite this growth, Russia’s share is still negligible compared to leading suppliers. Between January and July 2025, China imported:
- USD 366.5 million from Australia
- USD 242.8 million from France
- USD 88.4 million from Chile
- USD 59.9 million from Italy
- USD 24.1 million from Spain
In total, China sourced wines from 60 different countries, up from 50 last year, further underscoring the competitive landscape.
Market Perception of Russian Wines
According to Russia’s federal center Agroexport, China is a top priority in the strategy to promote Russian wines abroad. China ranks as the 9th largest consumer of grape wine globally, with imports covering 51% of domestic demand—a share expected to grow to 60% in the coming years.
Consumer perception is also favorable: surveys suggest that Chinese consumers view Russian wines as comparable in quality to Australian products but with a more affordable price point. This positioning could help Russia carve out a niche in a market where affordability is increasingly relevant.
Domestic Production Growth in Russia
At the same time, domestic wine production in Russia is on the rise. According to Rosalkogoltobakkontrol, production in the first seven months of 2025 grew by 12.6% to 20.9 million decaliters (dal). Sparkling wines (champagnes) showed even stronger growth, increasing by 15.8% to 8.7 million dal. This production expansion may support Russia’s ambitions to strengthen its export capacity.
Outlook
While Russia’s wine exports to China are still far from competing with the traditional giants, the combination of growing production, competitive pricing, and favorable consumer perception could create opportunities in the years ahead. However, success will depend on consistency in export volumes and strategic marketing to raise awareness of Russian wines in China’s crowded and highly competitive market.
Source: Interfax