Argentine Wine Exports Rise 8.5% in February as Bulk Shipments Drive Recovery

Argentine wine exports showed a recovery in volume during February, driven mainly by bulk shipments and a strong increase in white wines. According to data from the Instituto Nacional de Vitivinicultura (INV), external wine sales reached 154,770 hectoliters in February, marking an 8.5% year-on-year increase. However, this growth was not uniform across all categories and shipment types.

Bulk wine exports were the main factor behind the overall increase. In February, bulk shipments rose 55.7% compared to the same month last year. White bulk wine exports stood out with a surge of 168.8%, while red bulk wine increased by 42.9%. This trend has been evident since the beginning of the year, reflecting greater competitiveness for bulk wine over bottled wine in a global market that remains challenging for wine consumption.

In contrast, bottled wine exports continued to decline. In February, shipments of bottled wine fell 7.7%. Within this segment, red wines dropped 7.2% and white wines decreased by 10%. The decline in bottled wine is significant because it typically represents higher added value for producers.

Concentrated grape must also performed well internationally. Exports of must grew 12.7% in volume in February compared to the previous year, and accumulated growth for January and February reached 21.9%.

Despite the increase in exported volume, the value of Argentine wine exports fell. In February, total export revenue was $45.9 million, a decrease of 7.6% from the previous year. For the first two months of 2026 combined, export value reached $86.4 million, down 2.2% from the same period last year.

The start of 2026 highlighted a notable rise in white wine exports. In February alone, white wine shipments grew 21% year-on-year, while red wines increased by 6.3%. For January and February combined, total wine exports rose 12.5% in volume, with white wines up by 72.4% and red wines up by just 2%. Bulk wine shipments advanced by 57.2% over the two months, while bottled wine exports declined by 3%.

Traditional markets such as the United States, United Kingdom, Brazil and Canada remain key destinations for Argentine wines, accounting for most external sales of both varietal and non-varietal wines.

The data from early 2026 show that Argentina’s wine industry is recovering in terms of export volume but continues to face challenges regarding export value and the positioning of bottled wines in international markets. The shift toward bulk shipments and white wines reflects changing dynamics as producers adapt to global demand and economic pressures affecting higher-value products.