Has the Covid crisis dissipated in alcohol vapors? Champagne, cognac, wines… never will the French trade balance have benefited as much from the export of these local products as in 2022. According to figures published on Tuesday February 14 by the Federation of Wine and Spirits Exporters of France (FEVS), the amount of French alcohol sales outside the borders exceeded the record threshold of 17 billion euros. Signing an increase of 10.8% compared to 2021, a year already marked by a strong rebound after the air pocket caused by the global pandemic. The net balance reached 15.7 billion euros, up 10%, consolidating the place of the wine and spirits sector as the second largest contributor to the trade balance surplus behind aeronautics.
“The 2022 report is both historic and surprising”reacts César Giron, president of the FEVS, who is pleased with this performance “in a turbulent context and with strong logistical constraints”. On the downside, however, he does not deny that part of this growth in the value of exports is linked to inflation, which has jumped around the world. And he recognizes that the volumes themselves have fallen by 3.8%. But he says he is satisfied to note that the dynamic is “fairly distributed between wines and spirits and supplied by all geographical areas”.
One engine in particular stood out in 2022, in this case the American market, which continues to play the role of locomotive. Exports of cognac, champagne, rosé from Provence or Burgundy jumped another 14%, to 4.7 billion euros, across the Atlantic. The United States thus confirms its position as the leading destination country for French alcohol, far ahead of the United Kingdom. Two years after Brexit, the British still seem to value French beverages. Next come China, where growth has come to a halt, Germany and Singapore. The FEVS also notes new potential, particularly in Africa, with an increase in exports to this continent of 21%, to 440 million euros.
New record for champagne
Among the popular spirits, champagne was particularly sparkling in 2022. The international trade in Champagne sparkling wine grew by 20% to reach a record level of 4.2 billion euros with the sale of 187 million bottles, a figure also on the rise. Enough to beat the cognac pawn. Even if the precious Charentaise eau-de-vie continues to increase in value, with a turnover of 3.9 billion euros, the number of bottles marketed is down.
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