China’s wine imports in the first two months of 2025 indicate a sustained recovery in the country’s wine market, fueled by a sharp rebound in Australian wine and increasing demand for sparkling varieties, according to newly released customs data.
Strong Growth in Wine Imports
Between January and February, China imported 41 million liters of wine worth $258.1 million, reflecting an 11.5% increase in volume and a 54.2% rise in value compared to the same period in 2024.
Australia led the growth surge, with imports skyrocketing by 1,693% in volume to 14.7 million liters and surging 6,866% in value to $129.6 million. Australia accounted for more than half of China’s total wine import value during this period. The rebound follows Beijing’s decision in March 2024 to lift anti-dumping tariffs on Australian wine, which has since sustained strong import momentum. In January 2025 alone, Australian wine imports reached $104 million, aligning with post-tariff peaks seen in mid-2024. Treasury Wine Estates’ flagship brand, Penfolds, continues to be a key driver of Australian wine sales in China.
New Zealand also reported notable gains, with wine imports increasing by 36.6% in volume and 11.6% in value. The country’s growth is largely attributed to the rising popularity of white wines and strong brand recognition, particularly for Cloudy Bay.
In contrast, wine imports from France, Chile, and Spain continued to decline, while Italy showed signs of stabilization, recording only a slight 0.14% dip in import value. Georgian wine saw robust triple-digit growth, with volume up 108.8% and value rising 95.9%.
Sparkling Wine Gains Popularity
Sparkling wine imports emerged as a significant bright spot in early 2025, with volume increasing by 16.6% to 949,000 liters and value rising by 13.3% to $9.4 million. This marks a reversal of the volume-up, value-down trend observed in 2024.
France, China’s top supplier of sparkling wine, saw imports rise by 31.2% in volume and 12.1% in value, largely driven by Champagne sales. Spain posted even stronger growth, with volume up 66.6% and value increasing by 69.5%. Italy, however, saw a decline, with sparkling wine volumes falling 11.4% and value dipping 1.8%.
Sparkling wines are gaining traction among young and female consumers in China, often enjoyed as everyday indulgences. This growing trend was evident at the recent China Food and Drinks Fair in Chengdu, where on-the-spot purchases of sparkling and alcohol-free wines were reported, according to Shenzhen-based wine distributor Devofast.
Qingdao-based importer Long Vision Global International, one of China’s Top 100 Wine Importers, introduced Spanish sparkling wine at the fair, citing its potential for greater volume compared to traditional Italian offerings.
Price Trends and Market Outlook
French sparkling wines continue to command the highest average price at $31.27 per liter, significantly surpassing Italy’s $4.22 and Spain’s $2.91. Wu Xianghua, CEO of Chengdu Fine West International Trade Co., noted that his company has ramped up Champagne imports in recent months to meet consistent demand from established clients.
“There’s steady demand for Champagne from mature buyers who remain loyal to their preferred brands but are seeking better prices,” Wu said. He added that lower-priced Champagnes—either entry-level offerings or discounted big-name brands—are driving increased volumes. “We have been purchasing a single brand in large quantities for three consecutive months, and prices have been steadily decreasing.”
Despite the strong performance in early 2025, industry experts caution that these figures provide only a short-term snapshot. Whether the momentum in sparkling wine imports—especially from France and Spain—will persist in the coming months remains uncertain.
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