French wine and spirits exports fell last year

Wine and other spirits exports to the United States rose 5 percent to 3.8 billion euros last year as wholesale buyers in the United States replenished their stocks. Meanwhile, shipments to China fell 20 percent to less than 1 billion euros.

The value of French wine exports fell 3 percent to 10.9 billion euros last year, mainly due to an 8 percent drop in sparkling wine exports in this category to $3.85 billion. Exports of high-alcohol spirits decreased by 6.5 percent to 4.48 billion euros, with the most significant decline of 15.4 percent to 18 million euros in the case of Armagnac.