German Wine Exports Grow Against Global Trend

According to the German Wine Institute (DWI), the volume of German wines exported in 2024 increased by three per cent to 1.2 million hectolitres, while the value remained constant at 384 million euros. The average price that producers paid for a litre of wine abroad fell by eleven cents to 3.24 euros. This is the average ex-winery price, on which surcharges for taxes and distribution margins are added in the individual export markets.

„We are currently observing a global trend towards increased white wine consumption. As a traditional white wine country with a 69 per cent share of white grape varieties in cultivation, we are well positioned for this development," explained DWI Managing Director Monika Reule. However, German wine exporters are in fierce competition with other wine-growing nations, which can often produce much more cheaply. According to Reule, this leads to a decline in the average price.

Higher average prices in the USA

In the USA, the most important export market for German wines, the average price rose by 22 cents per litre to €4.75/l last year. Despite a slight decline in export volume of five percent, the export value of 63 million euros remained stable. This means that one sixth of Germany's total export revenue is generated in the USA.

If the suspended penalties for EU wines are reintroduced as threatened, this would significantly slow down the development of US exports. After their entry into force in October 2019, they led to losses in value of over 20 percent for German wine exporters.

The Netherlands in second place

After a strong increase of eight per cent in value and 18 per cent in sales, the Netherlands has risen to become the second most important German wine export market ahead of Norway. Last year, the export volume amounted to 170,000 hectolitres worth 36 million euros.

Continuous increase of export volume in Poland

In 2024, the Polish wine market developed very dynamically for German wine exporters for the second year in a row. At 124,000 hectoliters, 14 percent more wine was exported to the fourth most important export country for German wines. As a result, sales rose by seven percent to 28 million euros.

Strong growth in China

Wine exports to China increased significantly once again last year, with a 16 percent increase in sales and an 11 percent increase in value. In China, Riesling wines with a slight residual sweetness are particularly popular with young Chinese women due to their freshness and low alcohol content.