Japan’s Wine Imports Hit €708 Million as Sparkling Wines Surge 15 Percent Despite Overall Volume Decline

Japan increased its wine imports in value during the first half of 2025, reaching 708.4 million euros, according to data from Japanese customs analyzed by the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Organization (OIVE). This figure represents a 4.3% increase compared to the same period last year, with an additional 29.4 million euros spent on wine. However, the total volume of wine imported fell by 0.9%, totaling just under 111 million liters, which is one million liters less than in the first half of 2024. The average price per liter rose by 5.3%, now standing at 6.38 euros.

The decline in volume is mainly due to a drop in bulk wine imports, which fell by 6.7%, and wine packaged in bag-in-box (BiB), which dropped by 11.5%. In contrast, imports of sparkling wines increased by 5.9%, and bottled still wines remained stable in volume. Bottled wines as a whole—including sparkling, bottled still, and BiB—grew by 4.5% in value and 0.1% in volume, reaching 692.6 million euros and 95.6 million liters respectively. The average price for these products increased by 4.4% to 7.24 euros per liter.

Bulk wine imports into Japan during the first half of the year decreased by 4.2% in value and 6.7% in volume, totaling 15.7 million euros and 15.4 million liters. The average price for bulk wine rose by 2.7% to 1.03 euros per liter.

Spain remains Japan’s fifth-largest supplier of wine by value, with exports worth 45.7 million euros—a decrease of 8.9%. In terms of volume, Spain is fourth with 18.5 million liters exported, down by 11.1%. Spanish wine continues to be priced below the market average at 2.48 euros per liter, though this represents a slight increase of 2.5%.

France continues to dominate the Japanese wine market in terms of value, exporting wine worth 405 million euros during the first half of the year—an increase of 8.8%. French wines account for more than half (57%) of Japan’s total wine import value and are sold at an average price of 16.88 euros per liter, up by 1.8%. In terms of volume, France is second with exports totaling 24 million liters, a rise of nearly 7%.

Chile leads in volume with exports of 31.6 million liters to Japan during the first half of the year, although this figure is down by 2.2%. Chile ranks third in value with exports worth 67.3 million euros—a slight decrease from last year—and its wines are priced at an average of 2.13 euros per liter.

Italy holds second place in value with a market share of just over 12%, exporting wine worth 87.1 million euros—a modest increase from last year—and third place in volume with nearly 20 million liters exported.

Portugal saw significant growth during this period, increasing its exports to Japan by more than 30% in value and over 26% in volume compared to last year’s figures. The United States also recorded notable growth, especially in volume, which rose by more than 43%, while its export value increased by just over two percent.

On the other hand, Australia and South Africa experienced declines in their exports to Japan during the first half of the year: Australian wine exports fell by nine percent in value and nearly nineteen percent in volume; South African wines dropped six percent in value and twenty-five percent in volume.

By product type, bottled still wine remains the most imported category by value at nearly 396 million euros—56% of total imports—though this figure is down slightly from last year’s level. Sparkling wines follow with almost 286 million euros and a strong increase of nearly fifteen percent over last year; they now represent about forty percent of total spending on imported wine.

Bulk wine accounts for a much smaller share at just under sixteen million euros (down four percent), while BiB wines make up about eleven million euros (down nearly thirteen percent). In terms of volume, bottled still wines lead with more than seventy million liters imported (63% share), followed by sparkling wines at eighteen million liters (up almost six percent) and bulk wines at fifteen million liters (down nearly seven percent). BiB imports fell sharply to just over seven million liters.

Since 2020, BiB has shown the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) among all categories both in value (+3.8%) and volume (+4.6%). Sparkling wines have also grown steadily (+3.1% CAGR in value; +1.3% CAGR in volume). Bottled still wines have seen a slight decline (-1% CAGR in value; -3.4% CAGR in volume), while bulk wines have experienced the steepest drop (-7.6% CAGR in value; -7.9% CAGR in volume).

Japan sourced its imported wine from ninety-four countries during the first half of this year, but France remains firmly at the top both for value and market share—over fifty-seven percent—followed by Italy and Chile.

The average price paid for bottled still wines was up more than four percent to over seven euros per liter; bulk wine prices also rose slightly to just above one euro per liter.

Among major suppliers, France commands the highest average price at nearly seventeen euros per liter; Italy’s average price increased to over four euros; Chile’s price rose slightly but remains below market average; meanwhile, U.S.-origin wine saw its average price fall sharply by twenty-eight percent compared to last year.

These figures reflect ongoing shifts within Japan’s import market as consumer preferences evolve and global supply dynamics change throughout the first half of this year.