Although 2020 presented unexpected circumstances, Portugal’s wine exports grew by 3.2% in value and 5.3% in volume, reaching 846 million euros and 3.1 million hectoliters, respectively.
The United States remained the No. 2 global market for Portuguese wines, just behind France. This includes the sales of fortified bottlings and bulk wines. America’s market for Portuguese wines increased 3.1% in value and 13.5% in volume (up to 92 million euros and 257 thousand hectoliters, respectively).
“Despite the events of the past year, the growth of Wines of Portugal has been particularly positive on the U.S., thanks to the tireless commitment of our producers and their continuous investment in this key market. We are grateful to know that consumers found comfort in our wines during this unprecedented time, and we look forward to meeting again in the near future,” ViniPortugal President Frederico Falcão said.
With regards to classified Portuguese wines, including DOP and IGP bottlings, the United States remains the second destination worldwide for such wines, just behind Brazil. An increase of 13.4% percent of these bottles’ positions on the U.S. market was achieved in 2020, totaling 59 million euros in value and reflecting only a slight per liter decrease (down 2.9%).
In the realm of DOP wines exclusively, exports to the United States increased by 3.8% in value (28.7 million euros) and 8.7% in volume (92,798 hectoliters).
Positive growth was seen on the IGP side of exports, which experienced the most significant rise: up 25.4% in value and 29.2% in volume (23.6 million euros and 98,088 hectoliters, respectively).