Ningxia, a premier wine region in northern China, is experiencing significant growth in wine exports this year, with more than half of those exports ending up in Hong Kong. This free port, with zero wine tax, is becoming an important platform for Chinese wines to connect with the global market.
According to China News (中新网), a state-owned news outlet, wine exports from Helan Mountain’s Helan Mountain East Foothill, the primary wine-producing region in Ningxia, increased by 43.2% year-on-year, reaching RMB 8.32 million (US$ 1.17 million) from January to August 2024.
During this period, the volume of exports also rose by 12.5% to 77,000 liters. In the first three quarters of 2024, Helan Mountain’s East Foothill achieved wine sales revenue of RMB 910 million (US$127.7 million), marking a year-on-year increase of 4.8%.
Data from the customs authority in Yinchuan, the capital of Ningxia, reveals that exports to Hong Kong accounted for 52.9% of the total exports from Helan Mountain’s East Foothill. This means that Hong Kong now ranks as the top export market among the region’s 15 wine export destinations, which also include Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Laos.
Ningxia has garnered increasing international attention as an emerging wine-producing region over the past decade. Since 2012, Ningxia has become one of two observers of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), the other being Yantai in Shandong province. According to the local government website, OIV invited Yinchuan to join the International Network of Vine and Wine Cities. Additionally, the Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO) invited Helan Mountain’s East Foothill to become a member.
At this year’s Hong Kong International Wine & Spirits Fair, scheduled for November 7 to 9, 14 wine producers and service providers from Ningxia will participate, including renowned wineries such as Legacy Peak, Jade Vineyard, Lilan Winery and Rongyuanmei Winery. In total, there will be 40 exhibitors from mainland China, with Ningxia representing a significant proportion.
In Hong Kong, Ningxia wines are now often found on Michelin-starred restaurants, hotels and retail shops. Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s flagship airline, selected three wines from Ningxia as part of the four Chinese wines added to its inflight dining program in April.
One of the fervent advocates of Ningxia wine in Hong Kong is Leung Chun-ying, the Vice Chairman of China’s political advisory body, the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and the former Hong Kong Chief Executive. He has been active in promoting cultural and tourism exchanges between Hong Kong and Ningxia over the past six years.
On August 19, at a volunteer appreciation gala hosted by the GX Foundation, a charity chaired by Leung, Jia Bei Lan from Ningxia was the only wine brand served at the dinner. This came a day after Leung publically called on Facebook for all National Day celebrations to serve Chinese wines only.
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