French spirits exports drop in 2013

French spirits exports declined in 2013, according to the latest figures released by the Federation of Wine and Spirits Exporters (FEVS).

While shipment volume of spirits fell by 3.9% in 2013, sales value fell by just 1.1% as a result of continued success of Cognac overseas.

Overall, more than 50 million cases of spirits were exported from France last year, with Cognac shipping almost 13.5 million cases alone.

However, Cognac sales were not as high as in previous years, with a decline in volume of 3.3% and a drop in sales value of 1.1%.

Cognac, along with Champagne and Bordeaux wines, accounts for 60% of the exports value, which equates to just under 200 million cases worth €11.12 billion.

“The 2013 result is a remarkable performance considering the current deteriorated economical environment and the changing wines and spirits global market, as illustrated by the Chinese market recent evolution,” said Louis Fabrice Latour, chairman of FEVS.

“Our industry remains one of the main drivers for the French external trade. This is good news, for the entire wines and spirits industry as well as for the economy of our regions.

“However, these good results in 2013 should not hide the continuous loss of market shares in terms of volume in our main external markets, as well as the growing barriers we face in exporting our products.

“Beyond the welcoming of this good performance, the entire industry and governments should mobilise to preserve our capacity for growth, investment and innovation in the coming years.”

Earlier this month, French spirits group Pernod Ricard was forced to revise its profit forecast for the year after experiencing a large decline in sales for its Martell Cognac – a result of China’s clampdown on luxury gifting.

However, last month the Bureau National Interprofessionnel du Cognac (BNIC) reported “reassuringly high” cognac sales in 2013 despite a slowdown in the Chinese market.