No 8. South Africa
With its export volume almost doubled, South Africa rose into the top 10 list in 2021 with a staggering growth rate over 100% in both import value and volume.
It exported 14 million liters of wine to China, which is close to a 193% growth compared to 2020. Its export value also rose by 125%, totalling US$34 million.
Since the start of COVID-19 pandemic, South Africa has introduced four alcohol bans which led to panic stockpiling of South African wines. Despite the fourth ban being only lifted in July, concerns towards the enforcement of a fifth ban surfaced by year end as the country’s Covid cases surged.
China’s tense relationship with Australia also opened up opportunities for South Africa to export both bottled and bulk wine to China.
In terms of value, bulk wine imported from South Africa soared by 1256.13% to US$3.59 million, while bottled wine rose 105.05% to US$30.8 million.
