Asia, global locomotive of the wine market

Asia pulled toward the global wine market with consumption growing at full throttle, especially in Hong Kong and China, a step to become the seventh global consumer in 2013, according to a study for the Asia Pacific Vinexpo presented Tuesday.

Overall, wine consumption in Asia progressed 51.9% between 2004 and 2008 and rise 25% by 2013.

Asia represents only 6.6% of wine consumption in the world, that is 7,000 million dollars for a world market of 153,000 million in 2009.
But the region "is now the locomotive of global growth of the wine market," sums Dominique Heriard Dubreuil, president of Vinexpo.

First Asian market, China, eighth and tenth current consumer world producer, will become the seventh global consumer in 2013. Today Italy leads the ranking, followed by France and the United States.

Thanks to its strong economic growth and expansion of its middle class, China will drink 1,260 million bottles of wine in 2013, mostly red, or 31.5% compared to 2009, the study said.

China consumed mainly locally produced wine (88.2%), but in 2013 are expected to import nearly 16%.With 70% of wine consumed in the region in 2008, the communist country than Japan and South Korea.
But the most dynamic market in Asia is Hong Kong, which abolished taxes on wine in 2008.

Between 2004 and 2008, wine consumption in Hong Kong increased 75.9% to reach 3.6 liters per person compared to the 2.5 liters of Japan and 2.1 in Singapore. In comparison, average per capita consumption in France is 50 liters per year.
"The growth potential is therefore important," stressed Robert Beynat, director of Vinexpo.

Until 2013 this trend will be confirmed with an expected consumption growth of 70.8% between 2009 and 2013, according to research conducted for the wine fair Vinexpo Asia Pacific, to be held in Hong Kong from 25 to 27 May.
"The government's strategy aimed at making Hong Kong into a wine hub, thanks to the abolition of fees, explains this mechanism," says Beynat.
The French wine represents one of every three bottles drinks in Hong Kong, but the Chilean and Australian will get the heels to double its imports.

And do not forget India, like China, represents "a driving force for global market growth of wine and spirits," according Beynat.
Despite being a small producer, India is fifth in the regional classification and rate of progression is astronomical: +327% between 2004 and 2008 and +97% expected between 2009 and 2013.

The trade show will host Vinexpo Asia Pacific in Hong Kong in May 800 exhibitors from over 30 countries.