Decline in Austrian Wine Exports Observed in 2024

Austrian wine exports experienced a slight decline in 2024, with the total export value decreasing by 6% to EUR233.3 million. The export volume also fell by 1.7%, reaching 64.2 million liters, according to data released by Statistics Austria. This reduction has resulted in a decrease in the average price of exported wine, which now stands at approximately EUR3.60 per liter, down by around 20 cents.

Despite this recent downturn, it is noteworthy that since the last significant drop in exports in 2015, the value of wine exports has increased by nearly EUR90 million, as highlighted by the Austrian Wine Marketing GmbH (ÖWM).

The ÖWM attributes the decline in 2024 to the ongoing challenges in the global economy. In 2023, Austrian wine exports nearly reached the quarter-billion mark, totaling EUR248 million, largely driven by strong sales of bottled wine to Germany. However, the increase in lower-priced tank wines sold last year indicated that maintaining the exceptionally high export value from 2023 would be challenging.

In the previous year, exports of bottled wines to Germany experienced a notable decline, with a 5.1% drop in quantity and a 6.3% reduction in value. This trend was mirrored in other markets, where the demand for Austrian red wines decreased significantly. For bottled wines specifically, producers saw a 12.5% reduction in volume and a 14.4% decrease in prices, resulting in a modest dampening of average prices.

Conversely, exports of tank wines saw a substantial increase of 16.1% in volume. However, this was accompanied by a 1.4% drop in the export value for these wines, indicating a shift in market dynamics.

Germany remains the most significant market for Austrian wine, accounting for 60.2% of all exports and 42.3% of the total export value, despite a 13.6% decrease in export value to EUR98.8 million in 2024. This decline is attributed to a higher proportion of less expensive tank wines being exported. Meanwhile, the demand for wines in Switzerland decreased, leading to a shift in its ranking from second to third place among Austrian wine importers. The Swiss market saw a reduction of approximately one-third in imported wine volumes, although the decline in export value was limited to 18.2%, allowing for better pricing for Austrian vintners.

In contrast, the United States has emerged as a more crucial market for Austrian wine, moving up to second place. In 2024, the export volume to the U.S. increased by 6.5%, with the export value rising by 6.2%. However, the ÖWM has expressed concerns regarding the potential impact of the Trump administration's policies on wine trade with Europe.

Additionally, Austrian winemakers reported growth in markets such as Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. While the Canadian market saw an increase accompanied by a slight price drop, prices in the Nordic countries remained stable. Notably, exports to the Czech Republic surged by 80.1% in volume, although the value increase was comparatively modest at 58.1%.

The changing drinking habits of consumers and the current economic climate are influencing the Austrian wine industry, as noted by the ÖWM. Furthermore, the year 2024 saw the lowest grape harvest in 14 years for Austrian winemakers, reminiscent of conditions that precipitated the previous export decline in 2015.