Australian wine exports increased 7% in value to reach A$2.89bn ($1.9bn) in 12 months to September 2019, according to figures released by Wine Australia.

The figures released by the industry body also suggest that the average value of bottled exports reached a record high of A$6.79 ($4.69) per litre. The rise in export value was primarily due to growth in the export of above A$10 ($6.91) per litre free on board (FOB) products.

Wine Australia CEO Andreas Clark said: “While the value of unpackaged wine exported declined slightly, by 3% to A$512m ($353m), the volume had decreased 10%, which meant that the average value increased by 9% to A$1.22 ($0.84) per litre FOB, the highest level since early 2009.

“The positive numbers also reflect that the average value of bottled wine to all but 3 of our top 20 destinations are in growth and nearly all the major global regions imported more Australian wine in the past year, with the exception of Europe, which declined by 3%.”

Although, export volumes decreased 8% to 774 million litres, the increase in the export value led to an average value increase of 16% to A$3.74 ($2.58) per litre, which is said to be the highest level since 2009.

Additionally, significant growth in exports to China and encouraging growth in exports to UAE, Denmark, South Korea, Belgium and the Netherlands helped the value of exports of over A$10 ($6.91) per litre FOB to reach A$1bn ($690m) mark for the first time.

Clark added: “Australian wine exports to China (including Hong Kong and Macau) reached a record value of A$1.25bn ($863m), an increase of 18%, with average value increasing by 40% to A$8.42 ($5.82) per litre FOB.

“Global Trade Atlas figures for the year ended August 2019 showed that overall wine imports declined by 11% in value (A$), which has led to Australia eclipsing France as the number one source by value while Chile is the number one by volume.

“Exports to the USA increased by 3% to A$436m ($301m) during the year ended September 2019. Volume declined by 9% to 146 million litres, contributing to a 13% increase in average value to A$2.97 ($2.05) per litre FOB.”

Wine Australia figures indicated a drop in UK exports by 4% primarily due to uncertainty around Brexit.