2010 Wine Shipments to the US Reached an All-Time High
In a recovering but still fragile economy, wine shipments into U.S. trade channels climbed to nearly 330 million cases in 2010, marking a record high for the industry. After wine consumption declined again in France, the U.S. surpassed France as the largest wine consuming nation in the world.
California wine shipments to the U.S. market rose by 2.9 million cases, or 1.5%, to nearly 200 million cases. In addition, California exports overseas recovered, growing 4.4%.
Imported wines once again grew at a faster rate than American wines, expanding by nearly 4 million cases, or 3.9%, to approximately 105 million cases shipped into trade channels.
In comparison to generally weak 2009 results and boosted by new (often lower priced) brands or line extensions and discounts, roughly two thirds of all California wine producers reported shipment increases in 2010.