China wine imports fall 14.6% in 2025 as market contraction deepens for global exporters

CHINA – China’s wine imports continued their downward trajectory in 2025, marking another year of contraction for what was once considered the world’s most promising growth market for global wine producers. 

According to Chinese customs data analyzed by the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Organization, total wine imports into China fell by 14.6% in value and 26.7% in volume compared to 2024. The total value of imported wine reached US$1.03 billion, while volumes dropped to 207.2 million liters. 

Despite the decline, the average import price rose by 16.5% to US$6.32 per liter, indicating a shift toward higher-priced products. Compared to the previous year, China imported US$224.5 million less wine and 75.6 million fewer liters. 

Bottled wine, which accounts for nearly all of the value and around two-thirds of total volume, also recorded declines. Imports of bottled wine fell by 14% in value and 18.8% in volume, totaling US$988.8 million and 141.7 million liters. However, the average price increased by 5.9% to US$8.83 per liter. 

Bulk wine imports saw even sharper drops, decreasing by 27.1% in value and 39.6% in volume to US$56.1 million and 65.4 million liters respectively. The average price of bulk wine rose by 20.6% to US$0.86 per liter. 

The contraction affected most major exporting countries. Australia regained its position as China’s top supplier after Beijing lifted punitive tariffs in March 2024 that had previously reached up to 200%. 

Australian wine exports to China were valued at US$536.1 million in 2025, down 5.4%, accounting for 41% of total import value and 34% of volume. 

France ranked second with exports worth US$384.9 million, a decrease of 18.8%, followed by Chile at US$119.7 million, down 30.4%. Italy exported US$85.6 million worth of wine, a decline of 15.5%. 

New Zealand was a notable exception, increasing exports by 25% to US$40.7 million. Meanwhile, exports from the United States fell sharply by 40.6% to US$29.6 million, and Germany saw a slight decline of 1.8% to US$25.1 million. Moldova doubled its exports to US$8.5 million, while Georgia also posted growth. 

Sparkling wine showed a different pattern. Import values declined by 7.6% to US$59.7 million, but volumes increased by 6.1% to seven million liters as average prices fell by 12.9% to US$8.32 per liter. 

Industry analysts said, “Unless there is a significant shift in Chinese consumer habits or economic conditions improve markedly, the outlook for international wine sales in China will remain subdued for the foreseeable future.” 

In 2017, China imported 751 million liters of wine valued at approximately US$2.39 billion, nearly double today’s figures, underscoring the scale of the market’s contraction. 

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