French spirits exports record marginal growth in H1

Cognac helped French spirits exports grow by 1% to €2 billion (US$2.3bn) in the first half of 2018, according to new figures.

Cognac once again led the growth of French spirits in the first half of 2018

In volume terms, French spirits exports grew 4% to 25 million cases, according to the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux de France (FEVS).

Cognac led the growth of spirits, up by 9%, followed by liqueurs (4%) and vodka (3%).

Sales of wine and spirits in the US, France’s largest drinks market, grew 2.5% by value and 8.5% in volume.

Revenues in Asia grew by 2% to €1.5bn while the European Union rebounded with a 5% increase to €2bn. The UK “remains well orientated despite the uncertainties of Brexit”, up by 3.5% in value.

French wine exports grew by 5% to €4.2bn (US$4.9bn), with volumes up by 1%.

Antoine Leccia, president of FEVS, said: “The weak harvest in 2017 is starting to weigh on our shipments and probably again in the coming months.

“This decline, however, did not affect the total value of exports in an international market that combines dynamism and uncertainty.”

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