Revenue from Australian wine exports is up for the first time in nine years, says the Commonwealth government agency responsible for regulating, developing and marketing the industry.
Stuart Barclay from Wines Australia, the marketing arm of the Australian Grape and Wine Authority, said wine exports increased by 5 per cent to $1.89 billion in the last 12 months, representing the first increase in export revenue for Australian wines since 2006/2007.
Mr Barclay said the positive figures were primarily driven by Asian thirst for Australian wines but free trade agreements, a more competitive Australian dollar and better awareness around Australian wine quality also contributed to the 724 million litres of Australian wine which flowed overseas in the last financial year.
But Australian wine makers are not out of the woods yet. Climate change, a continuing glut of fruit, the threat posed by imports, the hard to crack American market and fluctuating exchange rates all have to be navigated. Read more here.
This article first appeared in Government News.