China looms as wine growth market

The United States and the UK aren't importing as much Australian wine as they used to , but China's demand is growing.

The latest export statistics from the Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation shows the volume of exports fell 8.5 per cent to 730 million litres in the year to April, with the biggest fall coming from America.

It's been blamed on US economic instability and the strong Australian dollar.

But exports to China have risen dramatically, with the value per litre jumping 150 per cent.

The Corporation's Alli Hogarth says there are many reasons behind the growth in Asia.

"There is certainly a trend towards wine consumption and increase in wealth in the middle class, which has really driven a lot of growth within the category, and, as well, China's domestic wine industry."