The United States leads global Champagne shipments in both volume and value, as shipments rebound nearly 64% over 2020 levels.
The Champagne Office, USA, today announced that 34,119,758 bottles of Champagne were shipped to the United States in 2021, an increase of 63.9% over final adjusted annual figures and the most bottles shipped to any country outside of France. In addition, the value of these shipments reached more than $872.5 million (€793.5 million) in 2021, again the highest of any country outside France.
Globally, Champagne shipped 322 million bottles in 2021, up 32% from 2020, as COVID-19 restrictions eased worldwide.
“Champagne has rebounded as the U.S. moved toward recovery from the global pandemic, including a return to in-person celebrations and the easing of restrictions in restaurants and bars across the country,” said Jennifer Hall, director of the U.S. Champagne Office.
“We are proud to say that not only did Champagne shipments to the U.S. rebound last year, but the U.S. led all countries in shipment volume for the first time in decades.”
The closure of primary consumption and sales centers, along with the cancellation of in-person events, pressured the global Champagne sector in 2020. However, thanks in part to measures taken by the Comité Champagne to preserve the economic fabric of the Champagne industry and consumers finding new ways to enjoy Champagne even in the face of unprecedented restrictions, global shipments increased 32% year-on-year in 2021.
The Champagne industry has weathered global turmoil before, most recently in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. Shipments to the United States fell by nearly 27% in 2009. However, as in 2021, shipments quickly recovered, and the sector subsequently experienced seven consecutive years of growth in the U.S. between 2012 and 2019, with an average growth of 6.2% in volume per year. Champagne now expects a similar growth cycle as the industry heads into 2022 and beyond.
The U.S. Champagne Office is the official U.S. representative of the Comité Interprofessionnel du Vin de Champagne, a trade association representing grape growers and Champagne (France) houses. The Committee works to educate U.S. consumers about the uniqueness of Champagne wines and broaden their understanding of the need to protect the Champagne name.
For more information, visit online at www.champagne.us.
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