U.S. wine imports explode to €3.7 billion as buyers race tariffs

The United States saw an increase in wine imports during the first seven months of 2025, according to U.S. customs data analyzed by the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Organization (OIVE). From January to July, the country imported 740.2 million liters of wine, valued at 3.71 billion euros. This represents a growth of 3.9% in value and 2.1% in volume compared to the same period in 2024. The average price per liter rose by 1.8%, reaching 5.01 euros.

These figures reflect a period of intense commercial activity ahead of the implementation of new tariffs on European Union products, including wine, which took effect on August 7, 2025. The tariffs, set at 15%, were widely anticipated after Donald Trump took office as president in February 2025. Many importers increased their purchases before the tariffs began, which contributed to higher import numbers than might otherwise have been expected.

France led the ranking in terms of value, with exports to the U.S. totaling 1.46 billion euros, up 16.8% from the previous year. Italy followed with 1.2 billion euros, though this represented a slight decrease of 1.1%. New Zealand was third with 274.8 million euros, down 9.4%. Spain maintained its position as the fourth-largest supplier by value, with exports worth 195.5 million euros—a decline of 4.4% compared to the same period in 2024.

Among the top fifteen wine suppliers to the U.S., only France, Austria, and the United Kingdom saw increases in export value during this period. Notably, imports from the U.K. grew by 9.8 million euros and nearly one million liters, with a significant rise in average price from 4.34 euros per liter in early 2024 to 9.06 euros per liter in early 2025.

In terms of volume, Italy was the leading supplier with 219.5 million liters exported to the U.S., an increase of 6.1%. France also saw strong growth in volume, up by 18.5% to reach 122.4 million liters. Canada remained third despite a sharp drop of 27% in volume, totaling just under 96 million liters for the period.

Australia, New Zealand, and Chile also increased their export volumes to the U.S., while Spain ranked seventh by volume with shipments totaling just over 40 million liters—an increase of more than five percent.

Looking at product categories, bottled wine dominated U.S. imports both in value and volume during these seven months: it accounted for nearly three-quarters of total value (2.65 billion euros) and more than half of total volume (422.8 million liters). The average price for bottled wine fell slightly by two percent to 6.26 euros per liter.

Sparkling wine was next in importance by value, with imports rising by more than twelve percent to reach 901 million euros and volumes up nearly sixteen percent to over 116 million liters; however, its average price dropped by almost three percent.

Imports of wine packaged in bag-in-box (BiB) format also grew sharply—up more than thirty-two percent in value and forty-one percent in volume—though this category remains small overall at just over seventeen million euros and nearly seven million liters.

Bulk wine imports declined both in value (down nearly thirteen percent) and volume (down more than nine percent), totaling about 142 million euros and just under two hundred million liters.

The data for January through July show that U.S. importers responded quickly to anticipated policy changes by increasing orders from key suppliers before tariffs took effect in August. The impact of these tariffs on future trade flows remains uncertain as importers adjust their strategies for the remainder of the year and beyond.