Italian wine exports to Canada rose 1.1% in early 2026 despite a broader downturn

Italian wine exports to Canada edged higher in the first half of 2026, even as Canada’s overall wine imports fell in both value and volume.

According to Canadian customs data analyzed by the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Organization, Italy shipped 208.6 million euros worth of wine to Canada from January through June, up 1.1% from the same period a year earlier. Volumes also rose, reaching 36.5 million liters, a 2.3% increase.

The figures kept Italy in second place among Canada’s wine suppliers by value and by volume in the first six months of the year. Canada remains an important market for Italian producers. In 2025, it was the fourth-largest foreign market for Italian wine exports, according to ISTAT data analyzed by WineNews, with sales of 420.7 million euros, down 5.8% from 2024, while volumes rose 1.9% to nearly 75 million liters.

The broader Canadian market moved in the opposite direction in the first half of 2026. Total wine imports fell 7.9% in value to 769.6 million euros and 6.8% in volume to 174.6 million liters. The average import price slipped 1.3% to 4.41 euros per liter.

France remained Canada’s top wine supplier by value, despite a sharp decline. French exports to Canada totaled 231.3 million euros in the first half, down 11.8% from a year earlier. Italy followed with 208.6 million euros. Australia ranked third with 69.1 million euros, up 25.6%, and Spain was fourth with 54.4 million euros, down 15.8%.

By volume, Australia was the leading supplier, sending 37.4 million liters to Canada, an 11% increase. Italy was close behind at 36.5 million liters, while France ranked third with 31.1 million liters, down 6.2%. Chile placed fourth with 16.7 million liters.

One of the steepest declines came from the United States. U.S. wine exports to Canada dropped 50.3% in value to 31 million euros and 43.9% in volume to 8.3 million liters. The decline came during a period of strained trade relations between the two countries.

The Canadian import data also showed weakness across major product categories. Imports of packaged wines, including sparkling wine, bottled wine, and bag-in-box products, fell 7.4% in value and 2.3% in volume in the first half of 2026. That brought the total to 735 million euros and 122.6 million liters. The average price for packaged wine fell 5.3% to 6 euros per liter.

Bulk wine imports also declined. Canada imported 34.6 million euros of bulk wine in the first six months of the year, down 17.7%, while volumes fell 15.8% to 52 million liters. The average price declined 2.3% to 0.66 euros per liter.

For Italian exporters, the first-half gain in Canada stands out because it came in a market that is buying less wine overall. Italy not only held its position in Canada, but also increased sales and shipments while several major competitors lost ground.