Italy has become the world's leading producer of sparkling wine, taking the throne from Germany, which has held the leadership position for 20 years.
This is according to the Italian Sparkling Wine Observatory (OVSE), which says that sparkling wine production in Italy reached a record 660 million bottles in 2017.
This figure includes both national consumption and exports, reports Italian weekly Panorama.
The increase in volumes (+1.4%) and values (+0.5%) compared to 2016 is essentially due to the establishment of Sistema Prosecco, a specific body created to coordinate the protection of various prosecco denominations in Italy and around the world.
Prosecco accounts for over 70% of the national consumption of sparkling wines.
Based on OVSE estimates, the consumption value of sparkling wines in the Italian market is €1.32 billion, with around €200 million spent on imported sparkling wines (including champagne), putting the total value of the market at €1.5 billion.
Overseas Sales
Sales of Italian sparkling wine abroad record a historical figure of €1.3 billion in 2017, up 14% in value compared to the previous year. This is according to analysis by Italian farmers association Coldiretti, based on ISTAT data related to foreign trade.
The most passionate consumers are the British, who were the main export market for Italian sparkling wine in 2017, with the value of exported bottles increasing by 12%, ahead of the US (+15%) and Germany (+8%).
The favourite Italian sparkling wines globally are Prosecco, Asti and Franciacorta.
Champagne Sales
Elsewhere, data published by France-based trade association Comité Champagne indicates that total champaign sales in 2017 amounted to 307.3 million bottles, or 0.4% higher than in 2016.
The French market dropped by 2.5%, with 153.7 million bottles sold, which is "a stronger decline stronger than expected due to disappointing sales in December," commented Maxime Toubart, president of the Syndicat Général des Vignerons and co-president of the Comité Champagne.
Exports were up 3.5%, equating to 153.6 million bottles.
A record turnover of €4.9 million was achieved, "thanks to exports and the valuation of cuvées”, said Jean-Marie Barillère, president of the Union des Maisons de Champagne and co-president of the Comité Champagne.
© 2018 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine
