In 2021, export values of German wine reached the highest level in over twenty years at €357 million euros, according to the German Wine Institute (2010: €355 million).
Compared to 2020, the global value of German wine exports increased by +29% and the volume of exported wines by +27% to 1.2 million hectoliters. DWI Managing Director Monika Reule explains that Covid-19 likely influenced these numbers.
“This export growth should be viewed in the context of the partial easing of the COVID-19 regulations in many export markets and the changed consumer behavior due to the pandemic,” said Reule. “In addition, since the punitive US tariffs ended in March last year, stocks have been replenished.”
The United States remains Germany’s top export market for wine, with German wine exports growing +11% in volume to 171,000 hectoliters and +24% in value to €65 million.
Strong increases in value through upmarket wine purchases
In particular, German wines saw an impressive increase in value throughout key markets around the world. According to Gomberg-Fredrikson & Associates, the value of German wines in the U.S. increased by +29%, while overall case volume increased by +16% in 2021.
German wine exporters also achieved strong increases in value in Great Britain (+62%), largely due to higher-quality wine purchases in the specialist wine trade.
Combined wine exports to the Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Denmark also developed positively last year (+15%), now making up around a fifth of total German wine export value and volume.
Reputation of German wines continues to rise
Throughout 2021, German wine’s reputation rose among both consumers and the wine trade, driven by the quality for value promise.
The highest average price among the top 10 wine exporting nations was achieved in China at €5.19 per liter, well above the average price for all exports (€2.95 per liter).
Considering the growing reputation of German wines on many important foreign markets including the U.S., the DWI’s General Manager Monika Reule estimates that the positive trend in wine exports will continue this year.
