The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) has released its 2025 Statistical Thematic Report, shedding light on one of the most overlooked yet influential dynamics in the modern wine economy: re-exportation.
Entitled “International Wine Trade: Role and Relevance of Re-export Hubs,” the document offers, for the first time, a comprehensive estimate of global wine re-exports and their strategic significance within the international supply chain.
According to the OIV, international wine trade today represents 47% of global consumption—a testament to the deep interdependence of production, logistics, and distribution across borders. Within this, re-exports account for approximately 13% of total global wine exports, equivalent to around 14 million hectoliters valued at EUR 4.6 billion between 2018 and 2023.
What Re-Exports Mean in the Wine Sector
Re-exportation refers to a process where a country re-exports imported goods without major transformation. In the wine world, this often involves bottling, relabeling, storage, or redistribution—functions that create added logistical and commercial value without altering the product’s essence.
For instance, a shipment of Chilean wine may arrive in the United Kingdom or Singapore, be stored, repackaged, or rebranded, and then sent to new markets such as the United States, Japan, or Hong Kong. These operations allow wine to reach new consumers more efficiently, benefiting from specialized trade infrastructure and market intelligence concentrated in re-export hubs.
Europe’s Strategic Hubs: From Bottling to Redistribution
In Europe, several key hubs dominate the re-export landscape, each serving different market functions:
- Germany and Australia exemplify the “producer-exporter” model. Germany imports large volumes of bulk wine from Italy and Spain, bottles them domestically, and re-exports the finished product to nearby markets such as Belgium, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. Australia follows a similar approach with New Zealand wines, showcasing how even major producers rely on import-export dynamics.
- The United Kingdom, long considered the nerve center of global fine wine trade, continues to manage both premium wine distribution—especially French and Italian labels bound for Asia and the U.S.—and bulk-to-bottle conversion for regional markets.
- Belgium has strengthened its role as a transit point to the UK post-Brexit, while the Netherlands remains essential for Northern European and Scandinavian logistics.
- Denmark, meanwhile, has carved a niche as a re-exporter of Bag-in-Box wines, importing bulk volumes primarily from southern Europe for repackaging into one of Scandinavia’s most popular formats.
Asia’s Luxury Gateways: Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau
Across Asia, a trio of sophisticated markets—Singapore, Hong Kong, and Macau—serve as high-value distribution platforms.
- Singapore stands out for its re-export of French sparkling wines to Japan and other regional markets, acting as a trusted logistics and trade hub.
- Hong Kong and Macau function as conduits for premium European wines heading into mainland China.
- Macau, in particular, has recently expanded its influence as an alternative channel for Australian wines, helping navigate trade disruptions caused by Chinese tariffs.
These Asian re-export hubs not only cater to wealthy consumers and collectors but also provide a flexible response to shifting trade policies and geopolitical dynamics.
Emerging Regional Gateways
Beyond the traditional powerhouses, the OIV report identifies new and emerging re-export players across diverse regions:
- The Baltic states—especially Latvia and Lithuania—act as entry points for European wines into Russia.
- Canada, Thailand, and Angola fulfill similar roles in their respective regions, using their strategic geographical locations and targeted trade agreements to facilitate regional distribution.
These evolving networks highlight the adaptability of global wine logistics and the rising importance of regional specialization in ensuring product accessibility across continents.
Economic and Strategic Significance
The OIV underscores that re-exports are far more than logistical transactions—they are an economic and strategic component of the global wine ecosystem.
Re-export hubs add value through:
- Storage and bottling services,
- Labeling and certification compliance,
- Quality control and traceability, and
- Efficient responses to regulatory or geopolitical shifts.
Recent examples illustrate this flexibility:
Following Brexit, significant trade flows shifted from the United Kingdom to Belgium, while Macau emerged as a workaround for the Australia–China tariff dispute. These adjustments showcase how re-exportation ensures continuity of trade even amid political or economic disruptions.
A Network that Shapes the Future of Wine Trade
By quantifying and analyzing re-exports, the OIV’s 2025 report highlights the invisible infrastructure that sustains the global wine economy.
Re-export hubs act as connective tissue between producers, distributors, and consumers—bridging regional gaps and providing resilience against volatility.
In an era where logistics, sustainability, and geopolitical complexity are reshaping trade, these hubs will play an increasingly pivotal role in how wine reaches the global table. The report positions them not as secondary players, but as strategic engines driving the modern, interconnected world of wine.
Source: Vinetur