France, Italy dominate US wine market

During the first four months of 2025, the United States recorded a significant increase in wine imports, according to data from US customs analyzed by S&P Global. Between January and April, the country imported 444.1 million liters of wine, which represents a 3.3 percent increase compared to the same period in the previous year. The total value of these imports reached 2,304.8 million euros, marking a rise of 15.2 percent. The average price per liter stood at 5.19 euros, 11.5 percent higher than during the first four months of 2024.

Bottled wine was the most imported product category, accounting for 1,648.7 million euros and 242.7 million liters. This represents a 15.7 percent increase in value and an 8.8 percent rise in volume compared to the previous year. Sparkling wine also saw positive trends, with imports reaching 67.1 million liters, up by 30 percent, and a value of 539.3 million euros, a 23.1 percent increase. The Bag-in-Box (BiB) format registered the highest percentage growth, although in absolute terms the figures remained low, with 3.6 million liters imported (up 34.7 percent) and a value of 11.2 million euros (up 41.7 percent). Bulk wine was the only category to show declines in both volume and value, with 130.6 million liters imported (down 14.6 percent) and a value of 105.6 million euros (down 20.3 percent).

Among supplying countries, France maintained its lead in the US market by value, reaching 922.8 million euros, an increase of 34.6 percent. Italy followed with 744.3 million euros, up 14.7 percent. New Zealand ranked third with 171.4 million euros but experienced a drop of 17.7 percent. Spain was in fourth place, posting 119.6 million euros in value and a 9.2 percent increase compared to the same period last year.

By volume, Italy was the main supplier between January and April, with 128.2 million liters, a 16.9 percent rise. France followed with 71.6 million liters, an increase of 29.4 percent. Spain ranked seventh with 23.7 million liters, which represented an 18.2 percent increase. Other countries such as New Zealand (43.5 million liters, up 7.9 percent), Chile (32.6 million liters, up 2.2 percent), and Argentina (15.2 million liters, up 2.9 percent) also increased their shipments. Canada saw a sharp decline of 31.6 percent in volume.

In April, France and Italy accounted for 71 percent of the total US expenditure on imported wine. France reached 198.9 million euros in that month, a 3.6 percent decrease, while Italy saw 196.3 million euros, an 8.4 percent increase. Spain recorded 31.2 million euros in April, up 12.3 percent, placing it fourth. By volume, Italy led with 35.2 million liters, a 17.8 percent rise, followed by France with 19.2 million liters, up 11.9 percent, and New Zealand with 12.4 million liters, an increase of 29.9 percent. Spain ranked seventh with 6.3 million liters, a 27.5 percent rise.

In terms of product type in April, sparkling wine posted the highest growth in both value and volume, with 18.2 million liters imported, a 33 percent increase, and a value of 134.7 million euros, up 16 percent. Bottled wine remained the main category, although its value dropped by 5 percent, while its volume slightly increased to 65 million liters. The BiB format saw a 67 percent rise in volume and a 39 percent increase in value. Bulk wine fell in both volume, by 12 percent, and value, by 19 percent.

The introduction of a universal 10 percent tariff on European products last April did not prevent US wine imports from rising in both value and volume during the first four months of the year. However, there has been a general increase in the average price per imported liter.

Differences between the data recorded by US customs (imports) and Spanish customs (exports) can be attributed to timing issues related to transportation and logistics. For example, Spanish exports to the US, according to Spanish customs, fell slightly during this period, while US imports from Spain increased.

The United States continues to be one of the world's leading markets for imported wine. France and Italy remain the top suppliers by both value and volume. Spain has improved its position compared to last year, mainly due to increased imports recorded in April. Sparkling wine and Bag-in-Box formats have shown notable growth, while bulk wine has lost ground in the US market.