The wine import market in the United States closed 2024 with a slight yet promising increase in both value and volume, according to data analyzed by the Spanish Interprofessional Wine Organisation (OIVE) based on US customs data.
In total, the country imported 1,226.5 million liters of wine, marking a modest 0.1% increase compared to the previous year. The total value of these imports reached 6,789.9 million dollars, which represents a growth of 1.6% in comparison to 2023.
One notable highlight was the increase in the average price of imported wine, which stood at USD 5.54 per liter—up by 1.5% from the year before. This slight price rise reflects a growing demand for premium wines and the resilience of the wine import market, even in the face of economic uncertainty.
The month of December witnessed a significant surge in wine imports, which could be attributed to anticipatory strategies from US importers. In anticipation of potential new tariffs under the Trump Administration, the value of wine imports jumped by 23%, while the volume rose by 29.5%. This sharp increase in the final month of the year highlights the industry's efforts to mitigate potential trade barriers and stock up on wine before any tariff impositions.
Types of Wine Imports: Bottled, Sparkling, and Bulk Wines
In terms of wine categories, bottled wines dominated the market in both value and volume. Bottled wine experienced a 2.6% increase in value, reaching USD 4,787.3 million, while volume growth was even stronger at 5.4%, with a total of 684.1 million liters imported. The demand for bottled wines remains robust, with American consumers continuing to favor premium, ready-to-drink wine offerings.
Sparkling wine also saw positive growth in 2024. The value of sparkling wine imports grew by 1.3%, and the volume saw a notable increase of 11%. This surge in sparkling wine imports suggests that American consumers' interest in celebratory wines continues to thrive, particularly in the holiday season.
However, not all wine categories saw growth. Bulk wine imports were down significantly, with a 12% drop in value and a 13% decline in volume. The shift away from bulk wine could be indicative of the growing preference for bottled wines, which offer greater differentiation and branding opportunities. Similarly, wine in bag-in-box format experienced a drop of 6.7% in value, though volume grew slightly by 2%, indicating a growing interest in this convenient packaging, despite price challenges.
Dominance of France and Italy in US Wine Imports
The United States imported wine from 73 countries in 2024, but the bulk of the imports came from two dominant suppliers: France and Italy. France led the charge in value, contributing USD 2,506.3 million worth of wine—up by 0.3% from 2023. Italy followed closely behind, with USD 2,253.2 million in imports, reflecting a robust growth of 6.5% in comparison to the previous year. Together, these two countries accounted for a staggering 70% of the total value of wine imports to the US.
In terms of volume, Italy was the largest supplier, sending 353.9 million liters to the US—an increase of 6.1%. France ranked third in volume, with 171.9 million liters, marking a 7.2% growth from the previous year. Canada, which typically ranks high in US wine imports, saw a decline of 9.4%, sending 203.8 million liters.
Spain, while ranked fourth in value at USD 391.4 million (a 7.4% increase), saw a more modest 7.2% growth in volume, reaching 67.3 million liters. The average price of Spanish wine in the US market was USD 5.81 per liter, higher than the overall average, reflecting Spain’s positioning as a premium wine source in the market. Overall, the US imported 4.5 million more liters of Spanish wine in 2024 than the previous year, contributing an additional USD 27.1 million to the Spanish wine export value.
Emerging Players: Argentina, Chile, and Moldova
While France, Italy, and Spain continue to dominate the US wine import market, other countries are also making strides. Argentina saw a 3% increase in both the value and volume of its wine exports to the US, reaffirming its status as a key supplier of quality wines at competitive prices.
Chile also posted growth, with its wine exports to the US increasing by 11%. Chile’s reputation for producing value-driven, high-quality wines positions it well in the US market, particularly as consumers increasingly seek affordable yet exceptional wines.
The most surprising growth came from Moldova, whose wine exports to the US skyrocketed by an extraordinary 799.5%. Moldova’s wine exports grew from 2.1 million liters in 2023 to a remarkable 49.6 million liters in 2024. This increase suggests that Moldova is emerging as an exciting new player in the international wine trade, tapping into the growing interest in Eastern European wines.
Source: Vinetur