Bulk Wine Market Shows Stability Amid Shifting Global Trade and Innovation

The global bulk wine market has shown resilience in 2025, maintaining its position as a significant segment of the wine industry despite a slight decline in export volumes. According to the latest report from the World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE), prepared by Rafael del Rey and the Analysts of Wine Markets (AWM), worldwide exports of bulk wine reached 16.5 million hectoliters in the first half of the year. This figure represents a modest decrease of 2.3% compared to the same period in 2024. However, the value of these exports remained stable at 1.2 billion euros, down just 0.3%, thanks to a 2.1% increase in average prices, which rose to 0.78 euros per liter.

Spain continues to lead the global bulk wine market, exporting 6 million hectoliters in the first half of 2025, valued at 302 million euros. Italy also plays a major role, with exports worth 155 million euros, closely following New Zealand, which reached 158 million euros. Other key players in the sector include Chile, Australia, South Africa, and the United States. This year, Mauritius, Lebanon, and Panama will participate for the first time in the World Bulk Wine Exhibition, reflecting the growing international interest in this market.

The 17th edition of the World Bulk Wine Exhibition will take place on November 24 and 25 at the RAI Amsterdam convention center. Organized by Vinexposium, a leading global organizer of wine and spirits events, the exhibition is dedicated to the bulk wine sector, which now accounts for about one-third of the global wine market. The event aims to highlight bulk wine as a competitive and sustainable solution in an industry facing economic and environmental challenges.

More than 240 producers from 25 countries are expected to attend, along with buyers from over 60 markets. Together, they represent 70 to 80 percent of the global trade in bulk wine and spirits. The exhibition will showcase not only bulk wines but also denomination wines, organic wines, spirits, no- and low-alcohol products, and ready-to-drink options. There will also be a focus on new sustainable packaging solutions designed to reduce carbon emissions and optimize logistics.

For over 15 years, the World Bulk Wine Exhibition has supported the growth and development of the bulk wine sector. The market has evolved with the introduction of innovative packaging formats such as bag-in-box, cans, and kegs, as well as the rising popularity of no- and low-alcohol and ready-to-drink products. These trends reflect a growing demand for efficient and accessible solutions in the wine industry.

Italy remains a major player in both exports and imports of bulk wine. In the first half of 2025, Italy exported 1.7 million hectoliters and will be represented at WBWE 2025 by more than 20 exhibitors. Italy also imports about 1 million hectoliters of bulk wine annually, with Spain supplying 80 percent of this volume. However, imports from Spain dropped by 26.6 percent in volume and 20.3 percent in value during the first half of 2025, totaling 80.3 million liters. In contrast, imports from France increased by 65 percent in volume and 44 percent in value, reaching 8.3 million liters and 7 million euros.

The WBWE 2025 program will include several features designed to engage industry professionals. The Silent Tasting Room will offer free tastings of wines and spirits from exhibitors. The Academy will host conferences and masterclasses on topics such as logistics, dealcoholization techniques, sustainable packaging, and the use of oak in winemaking. The International Bulk Wine Competition (IBWC) will take place before the exhibition opens, with international buyers and journalists conducting blind tastings to select the best bulk wines and spirits.

A new addition to this year’s event is the Grand Gold Pitch, an exclusive session where winners of the Grand Gold and Gold medals can present their cuvées to a professional audience. According to Rodolphe Lameyse, CEO of Vinexposium, the bulk wine market is a strategic lever for the industry, offering competitiveness, flexibility, and sustainability. He emphasized that the World Bulk Wine Exhibition has become a key meeting point for buyers and producers to find practical solutions and shape the future of the sector.

Grace Ghazalé, responsible for Vinexposium Overseas Events, highlighted that these initiatives are designed to maximize the visibility of award-winning producers while enhancing the visitor experience by combining business opportunities with innovation and discovery. The upcoming exhibition in Amsterdam is expected to play a central role in defining trends and strategies for the global bulk wine market in the coming year.