Although many bars and restaurants had closed due to the pandemic, champagne houses can look forward to new record sales.
Last year, more champagne was bought worldwide than ever before – even though a considerable number of bars and restaurants had to close temporarily. Champagne houses and winemakers are happy. It was also a “welcome surprise” for her. New records were set both in sales and in export. The Comité Champagne trade association, which represents 16,000 winemakers and more than 300 champagne houses, said on Wednesday that France alone exported a record 180 million bottles of champagne last year. This is an increase of 38 percent compared to 2020.
Global sales of champagne – also at a record high – reached 5.5 million euros in 2021. The association Comité Champagne suspects behind the increase that people simply found more reasons to celebrate in their own homes. Primarily to compensate for the depressed mood.
More home consumption
“As tourism and events are still declining due to the crisis, it can be assumed that home consumption will make up for the slump,” explains the retail group, adding: “Consumers have preferred to enjoy themselves at home and in general to compensate for gloomy moods with new moments of conviviality and exchange.”
No detailed export data has been published to date. In 2020, the United Kingdom and the United States were considered the most important foreign markets for champagne. After the number low in 2020 and the subsequent high, despite challenging climatic conditions in 2021, one now hopes for a stable growth cycle, it concludes.
(red)