Monday, 3 August, 2026
The Drinks Business, Amelie Maurice-Jones
Exports dropped 7% in value to A$2.3bn and 6% in volume to 598 million litres in the year to June 2026, industry body Wine Australia has revealed in its annual Export Report, released today.
It is the first time export volumes have fallen below 600 million litres since 2004.
The decline comes amid a broader slowdown in global wine consumption, which Wine Australia says has fallen to its lowest level since 1961. The industry attributes the trend to changing consumer habits, cost-of-living pressures and growing demand for alternative alcoholic beverages.
Australia’s three largest export markets, which are mainland China, the United Kingdom and the United States, all posted declines over the past year.
Wine Australia manager market insights Peter Bailey said the challenges facing Australian exporters reflected wider changes across the global wine industry.
“Data from multiple sources suggests the decline in wine consumption globally is more than a short-term downturn – it’s a reflection of changing consumer behaviour that is reshaping demand around the world,” he said.
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