WineGB is calling on the Government to provide additional support to promote the growth of GB wine sales overseas through exports. The percentage of sales from export has doubled in just two years from 4% in 2021 to 8% in 2023.

GB wines are now exported to 45 different countries with the top markets in order being Norway, Japan, USA, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Hong Kong, and South Korea.

The latest data from Norwegian alcohol monopoly Vinmonopolet reveals than sales of English still and sparkling wine have risen by 33% in the past year, rising by 21,551 litres (equivalent to 28,735 75cl bottles) to 87,318 litres (116,424 bottles).

Systembolaget, Sweden’s alcohol monopoly, also puts a strong emphasis on environmentally certified vine cultivation and wine production and WineGB’s Sustainable Wines of Great Britain Scheme is one of 29 approved certifications that it recognises.

WineGB reiterates its call in its Manifesto for Growth for increased support and partnerships with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the GREAT campaign. No new wine region has successfully established itself in the export market without significant state support and we look forward to working with Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds MP, Secretary of State for Department of Business and Trade (DBT), to accelerate our growth. In order to level the playing field of English and Welsh wine, the following five actions will boost the international presence of our industry.

1. Showcase English and Welsh wine in 20-30 capital and major cities around the world

2. Help English and Welsh producers with improved grant funding, export financing, and the organising of physical distribution in conjunction with overseas events

3. Improve trade access to our nearest and closest markets in Europe

4. Extend the power of gastro-diplomacy across the UK’s network and all public bodies

5. Assist exporters with the collation and publication of accurate and up-to-date export data

WineGB is currently crafting a three-to-five-year programme with DBT to support the promotion of our sector overseas. This will build on a successful partnership this year where we have worked with Government to showcase our producers at ProWein, Embassy tastings in Stockholm and Copenhagen, and Festival Napa Valley. This year, a record 12 producers travelled to Düsseldorf for ProWein, 17 wineries took part in events at UK Embassies in Copenhagen and Stockholm, while five brands participated in Festival Napa Valley.

Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, the trade association for the English and Welsh wine industry, said: “Exports of GB wine are still recovering from COVID induced disruption and have risen to 8% of total sales in 2023, double the percentage in 2021. In order to break into new markets and increase our presence in existing export channels, we need to further our partnership with Government, meaning enhanced financial support, greater international publicity, and access to better data so that we can accurately measure our performance.”

Ends

Please direct any queries to Phoebe French (phoebe@winegb.co.uk)

Notes to editors:

Wines of Great Britain (WineGB) represents, leads, and supports the sustainable growth of the Great British wine sector. It is the national association for the English and Welsh wine industry. Its mission is to advance the interests of our 480+ producer members who represent the vast majority of the UK’s productive hectarage and establish Great Britain as one of the world’s great quality driven and most sustainable wine regions. 

Photos of WineGB’s ProWein activity are available on request.   

An accompanying infographic can be downloaded here.

Export data quoted in this press release was sourced from the WineGB Industry Survey and Industry Reports (2021 and 2023). Data from Vinmonopolet refers to sales in litres for the full year to July 2024 and the full year to July 2023.