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China is the world's biggest consumer of red wine says Vinexpo study

Published:  29 January, 2014

China has become the biggest red wine consuming country in the world as its increasing influence on global wine trends continues, according to latest figures released by Vinexpo.

As the global wine exhibition business gears itself up for its next Vinexpo Asia-Pacific in Hong Kong to be held in May its latest research shows the region is set to grow by 22% in the next five years.

Its study, compiled by research specialists, IWSR, found that the Chinese drank 1.865 million bottles, 155m 9-litre cases, of red wine in 2013, a staggering increase of 136% over the last five years.

This compares to France where 150m cases were drunk last year. The Italians got through 141m cases in 2013.

Total wine consumption in China reached 160m 9-litre cases in 2013 and the county has become the fifth largest wine consuming country and fifth largest wine producing country in the world.

Between 2007 and 2012 red wine consumption increased by 27% annually with a slow down by 2%in 2013.

Over 80% of wine now drunk in China is made in the country and IWSR estimates total Chinese consumption will reach 230bn 9-litre cases by 2017.

Imported wines, though, are increasingly finding their feet and now account for 18.8% of the market an increase of 700% between 2007 and 2013.

Vinexpo hopes its show in Hong Kong in May will continue to not only build its presence in the region but those of its international exhibitors. The event will see 1,300 exhibitors from 28 countries take part and hopes to attract 18,000 buyers and importers. The event runs from May 27-29 and will be Vinexpo's largest to date.

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