A huge jump in December imports for Champagne lifted the UK out of a negative showing for 2006.
With shipments down 8% for the 12 months to November 2006, the UK was heading for the first drop in imports in six years. But six million bottles – more than twice the volume moved in 2005 – arrived in the final month of the year, giving the UK a total of 36.79 million bottles, a record amount once again.
The UK market for Champagne is a long way from seeing the huge volume increases of 2001 and 2002, and is slowing to the extent that a fall in shipments next year appears likely. One observer believed ‘price promotions were having an effect on perceived value’.
On current patterns, the US is headed for the number one export market spot, increasing by 12% to 23.16 million bottles in 2006, which puts it 13.5 million bottles behind the UK.
Total Champagne exports in 2006 were 321.66 million, lower than the record 327 million of seven years previously.
A busy start to 2007 indicates that stock has sold through well, unlike in 1999, when a large chunk sat unsold in warehouses.
First printed in Harpers Magazine 08.03.07
