Calvados sales see slight dip in 2023

Sales of Calvados marginally declined in 2023 following a ‘significant’ growth year in 2022.

Data shared by the Interprofession des Appellations Cidricoles (IDAC) show 4,958,000 bottles of Calvados were sold by all operators within the three controlled appellations (Calvados Pays d’Auge, Calvados and Calvados Domfrontai).

In France, shipments were described by the IDAC as ‘relatively stable’, down by 1.95% last year.

International shipments performed at a similar level, down by 1.23% in 2023. Last year, more than half (51.1%) of Calvados shipments were to international markets.

Jean-Luc Pignol, president of the IDAC, said: “While this slight decline can alert our distilleries, it should not overshadow some reasons for satisfaction.

“We have regained a collective dynamic, with volumes equivalent to those of 2019 and demand that remains steadfast in an economic environment that is nonetheless tense and uncertain.

“Let’s emphasise our commitment to ‘value’ by continuing our work in innovation and upgrading and significantly increasing our impact on the French and international markets.”

In March, Calvados distillers will tour the US, heading to San Francisco, Los Angeles and New Orleans. Taking place from 25 to 28 March, the tour will feature masterclasses for the on-trade, plus business meetings.

Furthermore, a second tour will take place in June, covering Florida, Texas and DC, as some companies head to Bar Convent Brooklyn from 11 to 12 June.

Exports of French spirits dropped by double digits in both volume and value terms in 2023 due to destocking by wholesalers in the US.

Data from trade body the Fédération des Exportateurs de Vins & Spiritueux (Fevs) shared earlier this month showed global sales of French spirits fell by 12% to €4.8 billion (US$5.1bn) in 2023, while volumes dropped by 13% to 48.4 million nine-litre cases.