WineGB has urged the UK government to ramp up its support for expanding British wine sales globally, following a surge in export growth. English and Welsh wine exports have doubled from 4% of total sales in 2021 to 8% in 2023, reflecting increasing demand abroad.
British wines are now reaching 45 countries, with key markets such as Norway, Japan, the United States, Sweden, and South Korea driving sales. Noteworthy is the 33% growth in sales of English still and sparkling wines in Norway, where sales hit 87,318 litres, according to Vinmonopolet, the Norwegian alcohol monopoly.
Sweden’s Systembolaget, known for its emphasis on sustainable practices, recognises WineGB’s Sustainable Wines of Great Britain certification, adding weight to the credibility of British wine in international trade.
To capitalise on this momentum, WineGB is calling for closer collaboration with the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the GREAT campaign, as outlined in its Manifesto for Growth. The trade body stresses that no emerging wine-producing region has successfully entered the global market without a big government support. WineGB seeks to partner with Jonathan Reynolds MP, secretary of state for the DBT, to hasten British wine exports.
The organisation has laid out five key actions to help level the playing field for English and Welsh wines internationally. A multi-year program is also being developed alongside the DBT, building on successful partnerships seen at events like ProWein in Düsseldorf, embassy tastings in Scandinavia, and Festival Napa Valley in the US. This year, a record number of 12 producers showcased at ProWein, while 17 wineries participated in UK embassy events.
Nicola Bates, CEO of WineGB, highlighted the critical role of government support, stating: “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.”
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