Close Menu
News

French spirits exports bolstered by Cognac

French spirits exports rose 6% to €4.2 billion (US$5.1bn) in 2017, boosted by the double-digit growth of Cognac, according to new figures.

Cognac led the growth of French spirits in 2017

In total, spirits export volumes grew by 2.4% to 52 million cases, according to the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux de France (FEVS).

Meanwhile, French wine exports returned to growth last year, witnessing a “sharp rise” of 10% to €8.7bn.

Cognac led the growth of spirits in 2017, up by 10.8% to €3.07bn in value, and up 8.7% to 16m cases in volume.

The FEVS said that the “very good performance” of wine and spirits last year was a result of the “buoyant” global economy, despite the rise of the euro’s exchange rate and geopolitical uncertainties.

Vodka experienced the largest decline in value at -14.8%, while volumes fell 5.3% to 12.2m cases. Calvados and liqueurs also both experienced declines in value and volume exports.

Sales of wine and spirits in the US, France’s largest drinks market, exceeded €3bn with an increase of 9.5%.

In China, sales reached €1.2bn, up by 25%, boosted by the rise of the middle classes and the urbanisation of the population, according to the FEVS.

“I’m glad to see that our products, synonymous with quality, authenticity and diversity, are progressing in all our markets,” said Antoine Leccia, president of FEVS.

“The growing share of distant markets clearly illustrates the priority issues of our sector’s exports. It is essential for our sector, on the one hand, to pursue free-trade agreements with key markets around the world, to combat trade barriers and strengthen the protection of geographical indications, and, on the other hand, strengthen our capacity to export, to preserve and develop the 300,000 jobs related to our exports, mainly in rural territories.”

In 2016, French spirits exports reached an “all-time-high” and significantly outperformed exports of French wine.

It looks like you're in Asia, would you like to be redirected to the Drinks Business Asia edition?

Yes, take me to the Asia edition No