The New Zealand wine industry has crossed the $500 million mark for the first time
Cheers to the wine industry, with latest Statistics New Zealand data showing wine exports to the USA have surpassed $500 million for the first time, up 11% ($49 million) in the last year.
As the wine industry advances towards its goal of $2 billion of exports in 2020, there is a significant potential for further growth in North America, says Philip Gregan, CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers.
“New Zealand wine, especially Sauvignon Blanc, is very popular in the US and we expect consumer demand to continue to grow,” he says.
“The new record level of wine exports into the world’s largest and most competitive market is an outstanding achievement for New Zealand wine exporters and testifies to the strong global demand for our wines.”
New Zealand wine exports reached a new record of $1.63 billion in March year-end 2017. Wine is now New Zealand’s fifth largest export good by value.