Exports of cognac have risen during 2016-2017 to reach their highest levels to date, both in terms of volume and value, The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac has announced.
The exports have now grown for three consecutive years, with an increase of 10.2% in volume and 15.2% in value. This represents a total of 190 million bottles shipped from August 2016 to July 2017 with a value of €3 billion.
Cognac has solidified its position in the NAFTA zone, with 82.1 million bottles shipped over the course of the year, or an increase of 9.3% by volume and 13.5% in value. The US, traditionally the market leader, continues to drive the increase with 78.7 million bottles.
In the same period, shipments to East Asia have also made gains, with 53.7 million bottles or an increase of 10.6% in volume and 19.4% in value. China played a significant role, with almost 22.6 million bottles imported.
After several years in decline, shipments within Europe have turned around. Growth was 10.1% in value and 8.1% in volume, or a total of 42.1 million bottles.
These positive results are due to growth in cognac’s traditional strong markets, notably the United Kingdom and Germany (respectively +3.6% and +22.2% in volume), but also to significant recovery in Eastern Europe and Russia (+73.2 % in volume).
Increased shipments also confirm potential for growth in the South African and Caribbean markets, with increases of 14.6% in volume and 21.6% in value. These emerging markets now represent 6.5% of total exports or more than 12.3 million bottles.
The Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac is a forum for decision making across the sector. Its primary role is the protection of cognac’s registered designation of origin and representing the interests of the 4,544 growers and 112 distillers of the cognac appellation.
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