The EU’s sparkling wine exports to countries outside the EU amounted to 636 million litres in 2021, a significant increase of 29% compared with 494 million litres exported in 2020. This increase comes after the first year of the pandemic, which significantly dampened wine trade growth as many bars and restaurants were entirely closed or partly closed throughout the year, leading to a 6% decrease in 2020 compared with 2019.
Exports registered in 2021 were also above the levels seen in 2019, with data indicating a 21% increase from 528 million litres in 2019 (+ 108 million litres). Between 2017 and 2021 exports had been increasing at an average annual rate of 7%, EuroStat reports.
In 2021, the three largest categories in extra-EU exports of sparkling wine were prosecco (43%, 273 million litres), champagne (15%, 94 million litres) and cava (10%, 65 million litres).
The top two export destinations for sparkling wine from the EU were the United States (31% of total extra-EU exports of sparkling wine, 198 million litres) and the United Kingdom (28%, 177 million litres).
Meanwhile, EU Member States imported 5.8 million litres of sparkling wine from non-EU countries, which corresponded to only 1% of the amount that was exported.
