U.S. Wine Imports Plunge in Early 2026

The United States sharply reduced its wine imports in the first three months of 2026, a sign of weaker demand in the world’s largest wine market and a setback for exporters that have relied on American buyers to absorb premium bottles and bulk shipments alike.

According to U.S. customs data analyzed by the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Organization, or OIVE, imports fell to 1.069 billion euros from January through March, down 38.9% from the same period a year earlier. Volume also declined, dropping 20.6% to 260.9 million liters. The average import price fell 23% to 4.1 euros per liter, reflecting both softer demand and a shift in the mix of wines entering the country.

The steepest decline came in packaged wines, a category that includes sparkling wines, still wines and bag-in-box products. Imports in that segment totaled 1.007 billion euros, down 39.6% from the first quarter of 2025. Volume fell 19.9% to 183.3 million liters, while the average price dropped 24.5% to 5.5 euros per liter.

Bulk wine also weakened, though less dramatically. Imports reached 61.3 million euros, down 24%, with volume falling 22% to 77.6 million liters. The average price slipped 2.5% to 0.79 euros per liter.

France remained the top supplier to the United States by value, with sales of 404.9 million euros, even after a 44.1% decline. Italy ranked second at 337.2 million euros, down 38.5%. In volume terms, Italy led with 71.9 million liters shipped, followed by France with 44.5 million liters.

Spain lost ground in the U.S. market during the quarter but kept its fourth-place position among suppliers of packaged wine. Spanish exports of packaged wine to the United States totaled 56.4 million euros, down 35.9% from a year earlier, while volume fell 26.2% to 12.6 million liters.

In bulk wine, Spain shipped just 0.16 million euros and 0.2 million liters in the first three months of the year, placing eighth among suppliers in both value and volume as exporters faced lower prices and weaker orders from American importers.