EFI RESEARCH, ITALIAN EXPORTS HOLD DESPITE WAR AND ENERGY CRISIS

Despite the continuation of the war and the stellar increases in raw materials (especially glass), transport (especially intercontinental) and energy bills, the export of Italian wines held. Volumes are down, especially in large-scale distribution, but the values of exports, driven by fine wines, especially in catering, are rising significantly. Amarone, Barolo and Chianti Classico are the "kings of hearts" of premium bottles, especially in the USA and China; but there is also a renewed demand for Prosecco (the "prince" of bubbles), This is what emerges from the qualitative research carried out by the EDOARDO FREDDI INTERNATIONAL Observatory on the export trends of Italian wines in the world in the years 2020/2022 and projections for 2023 (analysis on ISTAT and Nielsen data).

1. SCENARIO 2023 WINE EXPORT STILL COMPLICATED, DUE TO UNCERTAINTY WAR.
2. VOLUMES DOWN BUT EXPORT VALUE RISES.
3. FINE WINE: AMARONE, BAROLO AND CHIANTI CLASSICO ALWAYS AT THE TOP.
4. BUBBLES: UNSTOPPABLE PROSECCO.
5. TOP10 WINE EXPORTS BY REGION

Market ranking 2022 (export data in value, 1 January - 31 December 2022, source Edoardo Freddi International observatory)

1. USA : represents 15% of total exports in value and recorded a growth of 11% compared to the same period considered in 2021
2. GERMANY : represents 14% of total exports in value and recorded a 17% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021
3. SWITZERLAND : represents 10% of total exports in value and recorded a growth of 1% compared to the same period considered in 2021
4. CANADA: represents 9% of total exports in value and recorded a growth of 22% compared to the same period considered in 2021
5. UK: represents 8% of total exports in value and recorded a 7% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021
6. CHINA: represents 7% of total exports in value and recorded a 60% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021

Wines most exported to the USA 2022 (export data by value, 1 January - 31 December 2022, source EFI observatory)

1. Falanghina , which saw a 33% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
2. Pinot Grigio , which saw a 27% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
3. Prosecco , which saw a 25% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
4. Amarone della Valpolicella , which saw a 44% growth compared to 2021;
5. Gavi , which saw a 58% growth over the same period considered in 2021.

Most exported wines in Germany 2022 (export data by value, 1 January - 31 December 2022, source EFI observatory)

1. Lugana, which saw a 12% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
2. Sauvignon , which saw a 5% growth over the same period considered in 2021;
3. Amarone della Valpolicella , which saw a 63% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
4. Chardonnay , which saw a 2% growth over the same period considered in 2021;
5. Pinot Blanc , which saw a drop of -7% compared to the same period considered in 2021;

Most exported wines in Switzerland 2022 (export data in value, 1 January - 31 December 2022, source EFI observatory)

1. Moscato d'Asti , which saw a drop of -4% compared to the same period considered in 2021;
2. Amarone della Valpolicella , which saw an 11% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
3. Valtellina Superiore, which saw an 18% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
4. Chianti Classico , which saw a 9% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021.

Most exported wines in Canada 2022 (export data by value, 1 January - 31 December 2022, source EFI observatory)

1. Chardonnay , which saw a 24% growth over the same period considered in 2021;
2. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo , which saw a 28% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
3. Pinot Grigio , which saw a 52% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
4. Trebbiano , which saw a 16% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021.

Most exported wines in UK 2022 (export data by value, 1 January - 31 December 2022, source EFI observatory)

1. Prosecco , which saw a 13% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
2. Gavi , which saw a 4% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
3. Barolo , which saw an 8% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
4. Falanghina , which saw a 5% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021.

Wines most exported to China 2022 (export data by value, 1 January - 31 December 2022, source EFI observatory)

1. Barolo , which saw an 11% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
2. Amarone della Valpolicella , which saw a 14% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
3. Moscato d'Asti , which saw a 4% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
4. Brunello di Montalcino , which saw a growth of 8% compared to the same period considered in 2021.

Ranking of the most exported wines (export data in value, 1 January - 31 December 2022, source EFI observatory)

1. Chardonnay , which saw a 5% growth over the same period considered in 2021;
2. Barolo , which saw a 9% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
3. Pinot Grigio , which saw a 13% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
4. Prosecco , which saw a 20% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
5. Chianti Classico , which saw a 7% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
6. Montepulciano d'Abruzzo , which saw a 12% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
7. Amarone della Valpolicella , which saw a 23% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
8. Falanghina , which saw a 16% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
9. Moscato d'Asti , which saw a 5% growth compared to the same period considered in 2021;
10. Gavi , which saw an 18% growth over the same period considered in 2021.

Ranking of regions (export data by value, 1 January - 31 December 2022, source EFI observatory)

1. Veneto
2. Piedmont
3. Trentino
4. Tuscany
5. Abruzzo
6. Campania
7. Lombardy
8. Friuli
9. Puglia
10. Sicily

TOP10 WINE EXPORTS BY REGION

1) Veneto, which alone represents more than 1/3 a third of all Italian wine exports, continues to increase its market share with Prosecco and Pinot Grigio delle Venezie which are among the first four denominations of origin best-selling in the world: and they have incredible market shares, especially in the USA and the UK. In terms of quality and high positioning, Amarone della Valpolicella and Ripasso continue to increase sales and prestige, with Germany and the USA at the top.

2) Piedmont, which alone "weighs" over 1/6 a sixth of all Italian wine exports, is the top-selling region of quality wine in Italy: with Barolo being one of the most sought-after wines and paid to the world, and the Barbaresco that arrives immediately after. At a distance we then have Dolcetto and Barbera. Obviously, in terms of sales volumes, Moscato d'Asti and Asti excel, among the most purchased Italian wines in the world.

3) Trentino Alto Adige gains a position compared to last year: it was 4th in 2021. Known for the high quality of its white wines, including Gewutraminer, Pinot Bianco and Grigio, Muller Thurgau, Trentino AA is also famous for its sparkling wines, among which the Trento Doc dominates: that is, one of the best Italian sparkling wines. Not to forget the graceful reds of the region such as Schiava and Lagrein.

4) Tuscany, even if it loses the podium compared to last year (it was third in 2021), is the Italian region best known in the world for its red wines (about 90% of regional production). Protagonists of this boom are Brunello di Montalcino and Chianti, which alone represents half of the bottled volume; then followed by Chianti Classico. Sangiovese is the grape variety at the base of all these wines. Do not forget the Tuscan coast with the great DOC Bolgheri wines.

5) Abruzzo gains 2 positions compared to last year (it was seventh in 2021) it is famous for the red Montepulciano. But, in recent years, it is also Pecorino and Passerina: white wines with character. We are witnessing, especially with the latter, a phenomenon of product premiumisation .

6) Campania even gains 4 positions (it was in tenth place in 2021) : Campania wines have steadily increased their export share in recent years and stand as the future protagonists of Southern Italy, together with Puglia and Sicily. Aglianico, and species such as Taurasi, but also Fiano and Falanghina, and no less Greco di Tufo are increasingly found all over the world.

7) In Lombardy (which loses one position compared to 2021) the wines of the lake stand out, such as Lugana, whose sales are at the top of the growth performance among Italian wines, and which are found especially in the USA and Japan. Obviously equally important are the wines of Valtellina such as Sforzato or the less known ones of Oltrepò Pavese.

8) Friuli Venezia Giulia : the queen of quality Italian wines with Friulano, Sauvignon, Chardonnay. Also important for wines produced on a larger scale, such as Prosecco and Pinot Grigio.

9) Puglia has been the rock star of growth in terms of wine sales abroad in recent years: Primitivo di Manduria and Appassimento, i.e. full-bodied and full-bodied red wines, have conquered the Asian markets immediately after the European ones. Even Negroamaro continues to increase its sales abroad.

10) Sicily : the wines of Etna have been one of the most important innovations for fine wines in the last 8-9 years. And they have therefore occupied the top positions in the reference markets of Italian wine. Obviously Nero d'Avola and Grillo, i.e. the most produced and well-known Sicilian DOCs, have instead continued to spread throughout the world.