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▼ China’s Wine Exports to Japan Surge by 255%
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China’s wine exports to Japan soared by 255% in 2023, according to recent trade data from Japan’s Ministry of Finance. The value of these imports also jumped by 189%, signaling growing acceptance of Chinese wines in the Japanese market.
Over the past two years, several Chinese wineries have expanded their presence in international markets, initially targeting regions with large Chinese populations like Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore. Now, Japan has emerged as a key market for Chinese wine, posting significant growth.
Based on official data obtained by Vino Joy News, the upward trend continued this year. From January to August this year, the volume of bottled Chinese wine (in containers of 2 liters or less) exported to Japan reached 37,296 liters, up 117.84% from the same period in 2023.
The export value grew by 22.16% year-on-year to US$343,900. Japan now ranks as the fifth-largest market for Chinese wine exports, following Hong Kong, France, Macau, and Australia.
Forbes Japan also spotlighted Silver Heights, the first Chinese winery to receive biodynamic certification from Demeter. Speaking to Vino Joy News, the winery’s CEO, Marco Milani, revealed that Silver Heights has been exporting to Japan for five years via its local partner Kota Kudo, owner of Koalaya, primarily selling to luxury hotels and restaurants.
“You can find Silver Heights wines at the Mandarin Oriental, Conrad Tokyo, Edition Totanomon, Aman Group hotels, and Michelin-starred restaurant Ryuzu,” Milani said.
He highlighted that the winery’s flagship wines, The Summit and Jiayuan Collection, have been particularly successful in Japan.
Milani noted that Chinese wines are gaining interest among Japanese wine professionals. “For wine experts in Japan, Chinese wine is a novelty worth trying,” he said. However, he emphasized that Japan is a quality-driven market. “If a producer can offer clean, high-quality wine, Japan is the place to be,” Milani added.
Several premium Chinese wines have made notable inroads abroad in recent years. As previously reported by Vino Joy News, Ningxia’s wine exports surged 70.16% in the first half of 2024. This international success contrasts sharply with the current downturn in China’s domestic wine market.
Shen Yi, a wine industry professional, believes this is a positive development for Chinese wineries. “The international wine market is less saturated than China’s. As a new wine region, if the product is of decent quality, local wine enthusiasts are willing to give it a try. This presents opportunities for many premium Chinese wineries,” Shen said.
However, Shen also pointed out that while some wineries are finding success abroad, overall sales volumes remain relatively small. “Many wineries are just selling a few bottles to restaurants and hotels overseas.
It helps with brand recognition, but the volumes are still modest. Chinese wine remains a niche product overseas, so the primary focus for wineries will remain on the domestic market,” he explained.
Milani agreed, stating that while international sales are growing, China remains the winery’s main market. “Our strategy is to stay humble and focus on quality. China will always be our first market, but yes, exports are increasing,” he said.
Over the past two years, several Chinese wineries have expanded their presence in international markets, initially targeting regions with large Chinese populations like Hong Kong, Macau, and Singapore. Now, Japan has emerged as a key market for Chinese wine, posting significant growth.
Based on official data obtained by Vino Joy News, the upward trend continued this year. From January to August this year, the volume of bottled Chinese wine (in containers of 2 liters or less) exported to Japan reached 37,296 liters, up 117.84% from the same period in 2023.
The export value grew by 22.16% year-on-year to US$343,900. Japan now ranks as the fifth-largest market for Chinese wine exports, following Hong Kong, France, Macau, and Australia.
Forbes Japan also spotlighted Silver Heights, the first Chinese winery to receive biodynamic certification from Demeter. Speaking to Vino Joy News, the winery’s CEO, Marco Milani, revealed that Silver Heights has been exporting to Japan for five years via its local partner Kota Kudo, owner of Koalaya, primarily selling to luxury hotels and restaurants.
“You can find Silver Heights wines at the Mandarin Oriental, Conrad Tokyo, Edition Totanomon, Aman Group hotels, and Michelin-starred restaurant Ryuzu,” Milani said.
He highlighted that the winery’s flagship wines, The Summit and Jiayuan Collection, have been particularly successful in Japan.
Milani noted that Chinese wines are gaining interest among Japanese wine professionals. “For wine experts in Japan, Chinese wine is a novelty worth trying,” he said. However, he emphasized that Japan is a quality-driven market. “If a producer can offer clean, high-quality wine, Japan is the place to be,” Milani added.
Several premium Chinese wines have made notable inroads abroad in recent years. As previously reported by Vino Joy News, Ningxia’s wine exports surged 70.16% in the first half of 2024. This international success contrasts sharply with the current downturn in China’s domestic wine market.
Shen Yi, a wine industry professional, believes this is a positive development for Chinese wineries. “The international wine market is less saturated than China’s. As a new wine region, if the product is of decent quality, local wine enthusiasts are willing to give it a try. This presents opportunities for many premium Chinese wineries,” Shen said.
However, Shen also pointed out that while some wineries are finding success abroad, overall sales volumes remain relatively small. “Many wineries are just selling a few bottles to restaurants and hotels overseas.
It helps with brand recognition, but the volumes are still modest. Chinese wine remains a niche product overseas, so the primary focus for wineries will remain on the domestic market,” he explained.
Milani agreed, stating that while international sales are growing, China remains the winery’s main market. “Our strategy is to stay humble and focus on quality. China will always be our first market, but yes, exports are increasing,” he said.
- September 25, 2024
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