Grape wine spirits market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The German grape wine spirits market began the period at a high level in 2018, with a volume of 40.2 million liters. This was supported by an exceptional wine vintage that year, characterized by early harvesting and healthy grapes, which likely ensured ample raw material for spirit production. However, the market started to contract by 2020, falling to 34.2 million liters, as vineyard areas stabilized and broader consumption patterns began to shift.

The decline accelerated from 2021 onward. By 2023, reported factors in the wine sector showed a 3.9% drop in German wine production and a 4% decrease in wine consumption, with domestic wines particularly affected by more price-conscious consumer behavior. This reduction in wine output and demand directly constrained the grape wine spirits market, contributing to a sharp fall in volume to 23.7 million liters in 2022 and further to 19.5 million liters in 2024.

Structural trends in viticulture, such as a slight reduction in total vineyard area to 103 295 hectares by 2024 and the continued dominance of white wine varieties, underscored a shrinking raw material base and evolving industry focus. These factors, combined with sustained changes in drinking habits, led to a halving of the market's physical volume over the full 2018-2024 timeframe.

Production grape wine spirits in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In Germany, the output value of grape wine spirits reached 92 619 thousand US dollars in 2020, marking an 8.2% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 85 604 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 96 530 thousand US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, K l

Following a two-year decline, Germany's grape wine spirits production volume rebounded. In 2020, the country produced 36 026 thousand liters, which is 4.9% higher than in 2019. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 34 339 thousand liters, with the largest decline that year at 5.3%.

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

Exports grape wine spirits from Germany

Exports in kind, K l

In 2020, Germany's foreign supplies of grape wine spirits amounted to 6 876 thousand liters, representing a solid increase of 23.2% compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 5 582 thousand liters, while the highest was in 2018 at 7 489 thousand liters. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 25.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's exports of grape wine spirits in kind were not heavily concentrated. France accounted for 14.2% of exports, Spain for 12.4%, and the United Kingdom for 11.0%, with these three countries together capturing only 37.7% of total flows.

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 spirits export volumes declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 42.8 million US dollars, marking a 40.6% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 48.6%, with a compound annual decline rate of 19.9%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that Germany's exports of grape wine spirits in value terms were not concentrated on a few key destinations. The Netherlands accounted for 22.0% of exports, Norway for 6.9%, and Russia for 4.9%, with these three countries jointly representing only 33.7% of total flows.

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 spirits to Germany

Imports in kind, K l

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import volumes peaked in 2019 and dropped to their lowest point in 2020, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 2.3 times. In 2020, Germany imported a total of value_last_year thousand liters of grape wine spirits, representing a 57.1% decline relative to the prior year. The maximum volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 774 thousand liters, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 96.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Italy, and Spain were the main sources of grape wine spirits imports to Germany. France accounted for 54.6% of imports in kind, Italy for 21.9%, and Spain for 9.1%, with these three countries together making up 85.6% of total imports.

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

Germany's grape wine spirits import volume declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 98.9 million US dollars, equivalent to a strong decrease of 24.7% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 22.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 8.2%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 139.8 million US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 9.2%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, France and Italy remained the primary suppliers of grape wine spirits to Germany, with a combined share of 85.5% of total imports in value terms, while other countries accounted for the remainder.

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

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