While Australia and France continue to dominate Chinese wine imports, Chinese consumers are fast developing an appetite for wines from other leading exporters including Chile’s premium wines. While previously the USA was the biggest export market for Chilean wines, since 2017 this title has been claimed by China.
“In 2017, China became Chile’s leading destination market, representing some 16 percent of sales, with extremely high growth potential, given the low per capita consumption rate in China,” explains Angelica Valenzuela, marketing manager at Wines of Chile.
The rapid growth of Chilean premium wine exports to China has been driven by the Free Trade Agreement signed between China and Chile back in 2005. In 2015 China went further still and removed all tariffs on Chilean wines, with the exception of a 10% consumption tax and 17% VAT.
In recent years these policies have helped rapidly accelerate Chile’s wine exports to China, with Chile’s market share increasing by 24% from November 2017 to November 2018. In 2018 Chile exported a total of 8.1 million cases of wine worth $254 million to China.
“China is the focus for Chile today. We have already reached the trade, now we are communicating with the consumers through different channels in order to convert them into truly real fanatics,” commented Julio Alonso Ducci, director of Wines of Chile Asia.
This dramatic growth and the huge potential for Chilean wines in China is also being echoed by Chilean producers and wine brands. Clara Cortes who represents CWSA Award Winner Siegel which is Chile’s third-largest exporter to China has noted that Siegel’s shipments to China were up by 16% on the previous year. The family-owned company specialises in premium Chilean wines and she says that they expect to see further growth of 18-20% this year.
“The Chinese are just beginning to grow and are very interested in everything that has to do with learning. They began with varietals, now clients request quality vintages,” commented Clara Cortes.
The lack of tariffs on Chilean imports and the growing Chinese interest in premium wines, makes China a very attractive market for Chilean producers looking to widen their horizons.
All the leading Chilean brands enter CWSA including: Cono Sur, Valdivieso, Vina Ventisquero, Luis Felipe Edwards, Domaine Duveau, Viña de Aguirre, Butron Budinich Winery, Santa Carolina, Viña San Pedro, Viña Hugo Casanova, Rucahue, Viña Santa Ema, Casa Montero, Cremaschi Barriga, VFC Wines, Valle Secreto, Survalles, Survalles, Viña Sutil, Viña Requinga, Viña Ralco, Agroverdi Wines, Andes Beverages, Anun Wines, Balduzzi Wines, Tres Palacios, Las Majadas Winery, Pirazzoli Wine Estates, Mavida, Macrdo Destillerie, Bauza, Santa Helena, Terrapura, Viña Tornasol, Matetic Wine Group, Viña Aromo, Viña Las Majadas, Viña Indomita,Viña Portal Del Alto, Botalcura, Villaseñor, etc.
