A new report shows that Australian wine exports to mainland China reached between $1.01 billion and $1.03 billion in the 12 months ending in March 2025.
This marks the highest average export value in nearly two decades. According to Wine Australia’s Export Report, the average value of exports rose by 33 per cent to $4.09 per litre free on board (FOB). Total Australian wine exports increased by 41 per cent in value to $2.64 billion and by 6 per cent in volume to 647 million litres.
“The increase in average value is mainly due to the elevated level of premium wine shipments to mainland China, after tariffs on Australian bottled wine were removed at the end of March 2024,” said Wine Australia wine sector intelligence manager, Peter Bailey.
“The 12 months ended March 2025 represented a full year’s worth of exports to mainland China since the tariffs were eliminated – resulting in 96 million litres of exports to the market, valued at $1.03 billion.”
Excluding mainland China, exports to the rest of the world declined by 13 per cent in value to $1.62 billion, and by 9 per cent in volume to 551 million litres. The volume decline was primarily driven by reduced exports to key destinations such as the United Kingdom, United States, and Canada.
While global trade uncertainty continues to pose challenges for supply chains and competition, Bailey highlighted premium opportunities for Australian wine in China.
“Additionally, the average value of packaged wine shipped to mainland China was $23.00 per litre, much higher than any other major export market,” he added.
The top five destinations by value were:
- Mainland China (up $1.01 billion to $1.03 billion).
- UK (down $12 million to $353 million).
- US (down $32 million to $323 million).
- Hong Kong (down $136 million to $154 million).
- Canada (up $3.8 million to $151 million).
The top five destinations by volume were:
- UK (down 19 million litres to 208 million litres).
- US (down 21 million litres to 106 million litres).
- Mainland China (up 94 million litres to 96 million litres).
- Canada (down 14 million litres to 60 million litres).
- New Zealand (down 3.5 million litres to 26 million litres).