Lockdowns under COVID-19 have shifted consumer preferences over the past few months. One of the products that has experienced a surge in demand is wine. At the end of March, wine sales were up 42% compared to the same time last year. How important is wine for the global economy? For some countries, it’s essential! Our new visualization breaks down which countries export the most wine.

• World wine exports are worth $36.1 billion.
• Half of the world’s wine exports come from two countries, France and Italy.
• Three-quarters of the world’s wine exports come from Europe.
• Wine exports from Australia ($2.1 billion) are worth more than wine exports from Africa and Asia combined.

Data for the visualization came from the International Trade Centre. Only countries with more than 0.01% of the world’s total wine exports were included in the map. Each country’s wine exports are represented by a circle with the dollar value listed inside or next to it. The larger the circle, the greater the total value of that country’s wine exports in 2019. Similarly, the darker circles represent countries with a higher percentage of the world’s wine exports. At a glance, it is clear that European countries dominate the global wine market, although Australia and New Zealand also account for a significant share.

Wine Exports by Country - Top 10

1. France: $11 billion
2. Italy: $7.3 billion
3. Spain: $3.1 billion
4. Australia: $2.1 billion
5. Chile: $1.9 billion
6. United States: $1.4 billion
7. New Zealand: $1.2 billion
8. Germany: $1.2 billion
9. Portugal: $920 million
10. United Kingdom: $837 million

Wine production is liable to change as a result of a warming planet. Winemakers are adapting their agricultural techniques by producing wine at higher altitudes, finding spots with less direct sunlight, and experimenting with different types of grapes. As temperatures rise, more regions are also experiencing environmental changes that are conducive to starting vineyards. The sunny climes of France and Italy may face more competition from burgeoning wine industries in unexpected places like England!

How do you think COVID-19 and climate change will affect the value of wine exports in 2020? Will other non-European countries capture a greater share of the global wine market in the future? Let us know in the comments.

Do you need insurance for your business? Don't worry, we've got you covered.

Check Our Business Insurance Guides

General Liability Insurance Cost
Errors & Omissions Insurance Cost
Legal Malpractice Insurance Cost
Business Insurance Cost for Startups
Medical Malpractice Insurance Cost
Commercial Property Insurance Cost
Product Liability Insurance Cost