Wine imports into the United States have reached USD 6.99 billion in the year-over-year period ending February 2025, according to a report released on April 9 by DelreyAWM, a consulting firm specializing in wine market analysis.
This figure represents a continued upward trend, surpassing the USD 6.682 billion recorded just a few months earlier in November 2024. The steady growth confirms a broader recovery in both value and volume, following a volatile period for the global wine trade.
In terms of volume, the total wine imported into the U.S. increased from 12.02 million hectoliters in November to 12.36 million by February. Additionally, the average price per liter climbed to USD 5.65—almost ten cents higher than previous levels. This rise is seen as part of a market-wide adjustment, potentially influenced by recent tariff-related uncertainties and cost pressures in the international supply chain.
The DelreyAWM report highlights that this growth continues a positive trajectory that began in early 2024. While 2023 was marked by relative stability in volume, the overall value of wine imports had dropped significantly, reflecting broader economic pressures and consumer hesitation. The current figures suggest that the U.S. wine import market is regaining its momentum.
Notably, the year-over-year monthly growth rates show healthy, though now moderating, gains. After a sharp 29% spike in December 2024, growth cooled to 3.2% in January and 6.8% in February 2025. These numbers indicate that while the rebound continues, the most explosive gains may have been a short-term correction at the end of last year.
A key focus of the report is the potential impact of the recently announced increase in tariffs on imported wines. While the full scope of these measures has not yet played out, DelreyAWM notes that their most immediate effect appears to be on pricing rather than volume. Contrary to expectations of stockpiling ahead of price hikes, there has been no significant surge in stored volumes. This suggests that U.S. buyers are absorbing the costs without dramatically altering their ordering behavior—for now.
The underlying data, sourced from the U.S. Department of Commerce, provides a detailed view of the wine import market’s current health. The United States remains one of the largest consumers of foreign wine globally, and any shifts in its trade or fiscal policy have significant ramifications for major producing regions, particularly in Europe and Latin America.
For wine exporters, the rising average import price is a mixed signal. On the one hand, it reflects strong demand and the market’s resilience; on the other, it raises concerns about long-term affordability and consumer behavior if prices continue to escalate. The absence of a demand dip so far is reassuring, but importers are cautiously considering strategic adjustments if tariffs or transport costs increase further.
DelreyAWM concludes that the coming months will be critical in determining whether this upward trend continues or is tempered by external pressures. International producers, distributors, and retailers will be watching closely as political and economic developments unfold in the U.S., a vital anchor in the global wine economy.
Source: Vinetur