Quarter of wine imports comes from outside Europe

In 2007, the Netherlands imported 423 million litres of wine, 30 million litres more than in 2006. One quarter (106 million litres) came from countries outside Europe. The share of non-European countries in total Dutch wine imports has more than doubled since 1998.

More wine imported from Chile, Argentina and Australia

Chilean wine is becoming increasingly popular in the Netherlands. Last year, 27 million litres were imported from Chile. Chile’s share in total Dutch wine imports has trebled in the period 1998–2007 and is currently 6 percent. Argentina and Australia account for 3 and 5 percent respectively. The volume of wine imported from Argentina currently equals wine imports from the United States.

South Africa is still the main non-European wine-exporting country, but its share dropped from 13 percent in 2004 to 7 percent (31 million litres) in 2007.

Wine imports from non-European wine-producing countries

German wine popular

German wine is becoming increasingly popular. The Netherlands imported 63 million litres of wine from Germany last year, 14 million litres more than in 2006 and nearly half of the increase in the volume of wine imported in 2007. The German share has risen from 8 percent in 1998 to 15 percent in 2007.

France largest supplier but share is declining

With 134 million litres, France is still the largest supplier. Wine imports have increased marginally relative to 2006, but the France’s share in Dutch wine imports has dropped for the fourth year running. Over the period 1998–2007, the share dropped from 47 to 32 percent.

Share of France and Germany in Dutch wine imports

Consumption of wine still growing

Dutch wine consumption is growing. In 2007, the per capita consumption was 21.6 litres, as against 18.4 litres in 1998.

Wiel Packbier