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Between January and November 2008, the exports of Argentinian wineries grew by 15% in volume and almost 26% in value. Figures are still positive but a more moderate growth is expected for 2009. WineSur offers an account of the wineries with the highest export figures for bottled wine and the major destinations.

Despite the crisis, the conflict with farmers and other Argentinian problems related to the current situation, Argentinian wine exports keep growing. According to data provided by MRT consulting company (http://www.mrt.com/), in the 2008 January-November term bottled wine -which includes bottles, tetra brik and bag in box- grew by over 15% in terms of exported amounts, by almost 26% in total dollars and by almost 9% in price per unit (case) compared to the same period of 2007.

It seems that 2008 is already surpassing 2007 by millions of dollars. In 2007, some 394 million dollars were involved in foreign sales, while in 2008 -counting till November- a total of 496 million dollars were exported, i.e. 102 more millions than the previous year.

MRT data indicate that in the 2008 January-November term, red varieties were leading exports, including Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. Among whites, Chardonnay is the leader. Morever, the wineries with the highest export figures were: Peñaflor (14%), RPB (12%), Fecovita (7%), Trivento (6%), Bodega Esmeralda (5,7%), La Agrícola (Familia Zuccardi) (3,6%), BVA (3,3%), La Riojana Coop (3,2%), Flichman (2,6%), and Salentein and Norton (2.3%). The rest of the wineries add up to 38.1% of the exported volume. Some of the most sold brands include Uvita, Termidor, Toro, Trivento, Uvita de Plata, Trapiche, Santa Julia Fusión, Marcus James, Astica, Álamos, and Argento, among others.

In the bottled wine report provided by MRT, the major export markets for Argentinian wines, ranked by amounts, showed growth both in terms of amount of cases and FOB dollars, except for Russia and Chile, which dropped by 22% and 0.41% in FOB dollars, respectively. The rest of the markets experienced growth: the United States grew by 40%, Paraguay by 27%, the United Kingdom by 18%, Brazil by 5%, Canada by 30%, Holland by 40%, Denmark by 12% and Sweden by 50%.

Moreover, another fact highlighted by the report on bottled wine is that bag in box is at the forefront of growth, with 51% growth in exported cases and 60% in total FOB, while the average price per exported bottle grew by 9%, compared to 2007. Bag in box is followed by bottles, with 15% in cases and 25% in FOB dollars, and tetra brik with 11% in volume and 21% in FOB dollars.

Perspectives for 2009

For of MRT's Gastón García, 2009 will be a year of growth compared to 2008. However, he said he was certain that growth "will not remain at the same rate as in the 2007-2008 period, but it may grew between 15 and 20%, combining the first semester with new markets and strengthening of those where there is little participation, and a second semester fostered by growth in sales to the US and Europe, which will be starting to overcome -as they are already are, though slowly- the current difficulties."

Leandro Bastías, of Trivento, highlighted that the 2009 panorama is still uncertain. "This year all the decisions must be taken considering the short term. I believe it will be a very dynamic year and all must be done fast, no long term decisions can be taken. At Trivento, we believe we are going to grow, but in terms of volume, not value."

With regard to NQN, Lucas Nemesio commented that "the winery seeks to grow in the international market until it becomes 40% of its total annual production. We hope to achieve this through the consolidation of the American and the Brazilian markets. We estimate that we can grow in both markets and hope to open those where we having working through last year, such as Sweden, Canada and Mexico."

Pablo Silvestre, of Fecovita, said that even though their projections show some growth, the increase will be limited. "At Fecovita, we believe that for this to be possible we should aim at diversification and penetration. Getting closer than ever to our consumers, attending fairs, events and work with markets to get out of this crisis and generate joint strategies, hence we will avoid harming sales and letting competitors overtake us."

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