New Zealand: New Zealand Wine Sector Report
Post forecasts New Zealand’s grape crop for 2017 at 418,000 metric tons with wine production estimated at 301 million liters, just 3 percent below the 310 million liters available from the 2016 harvest. This will provide a sound base for wine exports to increase by a forecasted 8 percent to reach 250 million liters in 2017. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia remain New Zealand’s top export markets taking 82 percent by volume of the total exports. The Geographical Indications (Wine and Spirits) Registration Amendment Act was passed by the Government in December 2016 and will come into force on April 1, 2017. The legislation will give protection to products that are tied to distinct geographical regions, such as “Marlborough Savignon Blanc”, once the wines are registered.
