ITALIAN WINE EXPORTS CONTINUE TO SHINE, UP  9,4% SINCE 2011

Sparkling and Prosecco up 26%

(ANSA) Milan, April 4, 2013 – Italian wine exports continue to rise with some variation on markets and vintage preferences, a Mediobanca report said on Thursday. Over the last six years, wine exports have risen an average of 6.7% annually, while internal sales have picked up 2.3%. However, emerging markets in Asia and specifically China, are proving slower to jump on the ‘vino Italiano’ bandwagon.

The Mediobanca report also stated that last year alone, major producers registered a 9.4% overall increase in exports, 50.6% to European countries. No-growth markets included Africa and the Middle East which both saw a 1.4% drop in exports for 2011. North America stayed strong with 33.2% of Italian wine exports headed over the pond, up by 7.2% compared to 2011. Market darling Prosecco continued to shine overseas with a 26% rise in sales in the US and Canada.