Grape wine market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German grape wine market volume declined sharply from 1 930 million liters in 2018 to 1 548 million liters in 2019. Climate change impacts on viticulture required adjustments in grape varieties and growing regions, likely contributing to reduced yields and lower production. State funding programs supported the sector but could not prevent the overall market contraction.

After the decline, the market stabilized around 1 500–1 600 million liters between 2020 and 2023. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted export trade, which supported a slight market increase as domestic production rose. In the following years, rising demand for organic and sustainable wines, along with a growing trend for alcohol-free and low-alcohol products, helped maintain market volume. Stricter EU regulations on labeling and alcohol taxation in 2022 added cost pressures but did not significantly alter the overall volume.

By 2023, the market reached 1 522 million liters, with ongoing shifts towards premium segments and direct sales. For 2024, increased consumer demand for dry wines and sustainable products, as well as the expansion of online sales channels, are influencing market dynamics.

Production grape wine in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Germany held the 11th position globally in grape wine production.

Top producers of grape wine, 2017-2020

World map of production of grape wine, 2017-2020

In 2020, Germany produced 473 million liters of grape wine, marking a 7.9% increase compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 24.6%, with an average annual decline of 9.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 438 million liters, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 633 million liters. The most significant drop was observed in 2019, when production decreased by 30.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M l

Exports grape wine from Germany

Exports in kind, M l

Germany exported 368 million liters of grape wine in 2020, showing a slight decline of 4.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 4.6%, which translates to an average annual reduction of 1.5%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 386 million liters, with the largest increase of 2.9% also occurring that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's export partner structure for grape wine in volume terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The Netherlands accounted for 21.5% of exports, the United Kingdom for 12.3%, and Belgium for 7.7%, together representing 41.4% of total flows. Many other countries made up the remaining 58.6%.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's grape wine export value declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 1 056 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial drop of 10.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 8.3%, with an average annual decline of 2.9%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 1 235 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The market base for Germany's grape wine exports in value terms was broad from 2017 to 2020. The Netherlands contributed 15.3% of export value, the United Kingdom 10.8%, and the United States 8.7%, together accounting for 34.8% of total flows. The remaining 65.2% was distributed among numerous other countries.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Imports grape wine to Germany

Imports in kind, M l

Germany's grape wine imports in volume terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 1 462 million liters, indicating a 2.2% decrease from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 4.8%, equivalent to an average annual reduction of 1.6%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 581 million liters, which also experienced the largest increase of 3.0%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, M l

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Spain, and France remained the top suppliers of grape wine to Germany in volume terms. Italy accounted for 36.5% of imports, Spain for 24.4%, and France for 16.0%, together representing 76.9% of total import volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Germany's grape wine import value was recorded at 3 026 million US dollars, up by 1.7% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value increased by 3.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The peak value was reached in 2018 at 3 161 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 8.2%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, France, and Spain made the largest contributions to Germany's grape wine imports in value terms. Italy accounted for 37.4% of import value, France for 26.8%, and Spain for 15.0%, together representing 79.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020