German wine exports hold steady despite global consumption slump

German wine exports remained broadly stable in the first half of 2026 despite a global decline in wine consumption, although revenue fell slightly, the German Wine Institute (DWI) said.

Exports totalled 600,000 hectolitres, while revenue dropped 3% year-on-year to around €186 million ($208 million).

DWI managing director Melanie Broyé-Engelkes said the figures were encouraging given that wine consumption was falling in almost every market worldwide. She attributed the stable exports to growing demand for lighter, fresh and fruity white wines.

Scandinavian countries were particularly important markets. In Sweden, imports of German white wines increased despite a shrinking overall market. Sales through the state-owned alcohol retailer Systembolaget rose 10% in the first nine months, while revenue increased 11%, the DWI said. Systembolaget accounts for around 85% of all wine sales in Sweden.

Finland and Denmark have also become important export markets, together accounting for a quarter of German wine exports in the first half of 2026.

The United States remained the largest market by export value, at €24 million, followed by Norway at €18 million and the Netherlands at €16 million. However, exports to the US fell 11% in both volume and value, partly due to tariffs.

Exporters are increasingly looking to Brazil and India, where new EU trade agreements are helping open up markets, the DWI said.

German wine exports averaged around 1.2 million hectolitres annually over the past five years, equivalent to about 14% of the country's average wine production.