Becoming Third Largest Source of Imported Wines in U.S.
New York, NY, March 7, 2022 – In the 12 months January through December 2021, according to U.S. Customs data, Chile became the third largest source of imported wines (bulk and bottled) shipped to the U.S., up from seventh place in 2020 and directly behind France and Italy. Chile is now the number one source of Southern Hemisphere wines sold in the U.S.
Intelvid Chile customs data confirm that 4,881 million 9-liter cases of Chilean bottled wines were shipped to the U.S. in 2021. In a year-over-year comparison, 2021 versus 2020, this correlates to across-the-board increases in value (+8%), volume (+1%), and average price per case (+7%).
For bottled wines over $40 FOB per case shipped to the U.S., those figures demonstrate a growth of 25% in volume, 31% in overall value and 5% in average price per case. This comes in the wake of a five-year downturn. Julio Alonso, executive director at Wines of Chile USA, sees the upward trend continuing in 2022, thanks to the variety and quality at all price points offered by Chilean wineries.
The U.S. market in 2021 saw wines under $15 lose and wines in the super-premium and luxury categories gain in market share, with Chilean wines outperforming the market in the latter case. Chilean wines registered an increase of 56% in the $50-$100 segment and 62% in the $100-plus category (Nielsen IQ, 52 weeks through Nov. 6, 2021). It is a club that more and more Chilean brands, such as Maquis, VIK and Domus, are joining.
Alonso views these wines as, “Not only competitively priced, affordable luxuries, but engines helping generate traction for Brand Chile as a whole,” going on to note, “Though our strong performance is due in part to unusual supply and weather conditions in 2021, one of the most significant long-term trends has been the entry of Chilean wines at the luxury level.”
Chile has long been associated with red offerings, but whites now account for a solid 21% of Chilean wines imported into the U.S. Chile’s second most planted grape, Sauvignon Blanc, is the third most popular white variety in the U.S. market. Though Chile is still a small player, accounting for just 3% market share in the Sauvignon Blanc category, supply challenges for wineries in California and New Zealand, the dominant sellers, became an opportunity for Chilean companies in 2021 and into 2022. Again, the focus is on higher priced offerings.
About Wines of Chile
The mission of Wines of Chile is to promote the quality and image of Chilean wines throughout the world. With offices in the United States, China, the United Kingdom, Canada, Brazil and Chile, the organization, working closely with ProChile, develops and offers promotional and educational programs. Its members represent over 75% percent of Chile’s bottled wine exports. www.winesofchile.org
