They are finally starting to breathe a little, since the start of the health crisis. Bordeaux wines are experiencing a “reboot” with a 13% increase in volumes marketed compared to last year and a 12% increase in exports, according to data published by the inter-branch during its general meeting on Monday in Bordeaux .
For the 2020-2021 season (June to May), “the figures finally show the expected rebound”, welcomed Bernard Farges, the president of the Interprofessional Council of Bordeaux Wines (CIVB). “The worst is behind us, even if it requires confirmation. We are going towards relaxation, a real recovery. »In 2020/2021, the commercial indicator of property exits reached 4.24 million hectoliters (hl), up 13% compared to the same period last year, and concerns all groups Bordeaux appellations.
An increase of more than 20% to the United States
For export, the 1.89 million hl shipped represents an increase of 12% and a “return to the level of 2018”. The increase is particularly clear towards the United States (+ 21%) and notable towards Asia (+ 17% for Hong Kong, + 14% for Japan, + 13% for China). In value, the increase is even 21% (2.13 billion euros). This good export performance concerns all price brackets and all destinations, according to the CIVB.
“And Bordeaux has wine to meet this demand [grâce ses stocks]. We are able to supply the markets “, with in particular” very beautiful vintages of 2018, 2019 and 2020 “, explained Bernard Farges, stressing that the April frost episode had” perhaps less handicapped “the Bordeaux resident than other wine regions for the 2021 harvest.
Since 2017 and a severe episode of frost (- 40% harvest), the Bordeaux region has been going through a crisis fueled by many factors, including changes in consumption patterns, the drop in exports to China, the imposition of customs taxes by Donald Trump (recently suspended) and the global health crisis.