Total sales experienced a 1.09% growth, reaching 252 million bottles, with organic Cavas notably witnessing a significant increase of 24.59%.
VILAFRANCA DEL PENEDÈS, March 21, 2024 — Cava celebrated a triumphant conclusion to the previous year, achieving an unprecedented milestone of nearly 252 million bottles sold domestically. This marks a significant increase of 2.7 million bottles from the preceding year. Overall sales experienced a commendable growth rate of 1.09%, driven primarily by a robust 4.02% surge in the domestic market. Conversely, foreign markets witnessed a marginal decline of 0.25%, attributed partly to inflationary pressures in key European markets and reduced sales in the United States.
The president of the D.O. Cava Regulatory Council, Javier Pagés, highlighted the strength of Cava. He stated that “despite the economic and geopolitical turbulence, our products continue to recover ground in the domestic market and consolidate their positions ,while our main global competitors have experienced a significant decline”. At the same time, Javier Pagés pointed out the sector’s efforts in its commitment to organic production. He is also optimistic about the near future, despite the severe effects of the persistent drought, as long as “we are able to work together and create wealth throughout the sector’s value chain”.
Pagés further underscored Cava’s position as Spain’s fastest-growing sparkling wine in 2023, with volume and value increases of 3.9% and 10.6%, respectively, reflecting evolving consumer preferences toward higher quality offerings.
The organic Cavas category has emerged as a standout, showcasing remarkable growth attributed to D.O. Cava’s dedication to ecology, sustainability, and premium offerings with extended aging. Setting it apart, this category is distinguished by new regulations mandating the transition to 100% organic status for the entire Guarda Superior category by 2025. While sales of conventionally grown products declined by 1.65%, organic Cavas experienced a substantial 24.59% growth, with organically-certified bottle sales already reaching 32.3 million.
Among the notable trends in 2023, rosé Cavas managed to move up the rankings, growing by 3.31% and reaching 23.5 million bottles sold. Last year Cavas de Guarda Superior with the new minimum ageing regulation of 18 months for Cavas de Guarda Superior Reserva (previously 15 months), were launched on the market, with an organic vocation in specific vineyards. Javier Pagés affirms that “the new segmentation of Cava has given a boost to the sector”, and he also highlighted the growing number of Integral Producer Cavas.
D.O. Cava: commitment to origin, land and sustainability
With more than 70% of international sales, Cava is the Spanish D.O. with the highest exports. The Cava industry has over 38,000 hectares of vineyards and more than 6,200 winegrowers, and its 349 associated wineries are present in more than 100 countries. Cava, which pairs harmoniously with every type of gastronomy, is made using the traditional method, with a strict commitment to origin, land and sustainability.
