Australian wine exports to mainland China rose 1.9% by value in the third quarter of 2026, bucking a global decline as a surge in white wine shipments offered a bright spot for producers.
White wine export volumes to the market more than doubled, rising 143.6%, according to Wine Australia data. The growth comes as Australian producers seek a greater foothold among Chinese white wine drinkers, including consumers exploring alternatives to Burgundy.
Mainland China remained Australia’s largest wine export market by value and accounted for more than half of its worldwide export earnings from wines priced at A$10 or more per liter.
Across all destinations, Australian wine export value fell 7.3% to A$ 520.57 million (US$357 million) in the quarter. Volumes declined 4.7% to 148.25 million liters.
China’s growth contrasts with declines in the U.K. and U.S.
Exports to mainland China reached A$166.33 million (US$114 million), with volumes rising 14.9% to 17.06 million liters.
That contrasted with declines in Australia’s next two largest markets by value. Exports to the United Kingdom fell 12.6% to A$81.81 million (US$56.12 million), while volumes dropped 8.7% to 44.5 million liters. Shipments to the United States declined 12.5% by value to A$63.7 million (US$43.72 million) and 4.5% by volume to 29.52 million liters.
Mainland China bought more than twice as much Australian wine by value as the U.K., but ranked fourth by volume, behind the U.K., the U.S. and Canada. That difference highlights its importance to producers selling higher-priced wines.
Australian wines exported to mainland China at a free-on-board price of at least A$10.00 (US$6.86) per liter generated A$137.82 million (US$94.53 million). That represented about 59% of Australia’s global export value in that price bracket, which totaled A$233.50 million (US$160.00 million).
South Australia was the leading source of wines shipped to mainland China, with export value rising 32% to A$106.55 million (US$73.08 million). Wines classified as “No Label Claim,” meaning they carried no stated regional origin, ranked second at A$16.78 million (US$11.51 million).
For the first nine months of 2026, export value to mainland China fell 10.4% to A$758.59 million, even as volumes rose 8.2% to 79.31 million liters.
The return to value growth in the third quarter, accompanied by a stronger increase in volumes, may point to progress in clearing inventories and renewed willingness among importers to replenish stocks.
White wines gain ground
White wine delivered some of the strongest growth in shipments to mainland China. Export value rose 51.9% to A$11.87 million (US$8.14 million), while volumes jumped 143.6% to 5.26 million liters. Red wine export value, by contrast, edged down 0.5%.
White wines have attracted increasing attention among Chinese consumers, particularly women, over the past two years. Australian producers are now gaining interest in a segment where New Zealand and Germany have established strong positions.
Hong Boyong, CEO of Shanghai Pran Wines, which specializes in Australian wines, previously told Vino Joy News that consumers were becoming more interested in whites from several Australian regions. Hunter Valley Semillon, he said, was increasingly a wine that customers actively requested.
Premium Chardonnay was also attracting demand, including from Burgundy enthusiasts. Hong said some consumers who tried high-quality Australian Chardonnay found it offered both compelling value and a different tasting experience.
Despite those gains, white wine still accounted for only 7.14% of Australian wine export value to mainland China, compared with red wine’s 91.62%.
Globally, white wine represented 27.74% of Australian wine export value, against 70.38% for reds. The much smaller white wine share in mainland China suggests potential for further expansion, although red wine remains the foundation of Australia’s business there.
Sparkling wine shipments also grew from a small base. Export value increased 25.4% to A$1.95 million (US$1.34 million), while volumes rose 22.8% to 171,818 liters.
Thailand and Indonesia offer growth amid mixed Asian results
Asian destinations occupied six places among Australia’s 10 largest wine export markets by value, but their third-quarter results varied considerably.
Exports to Singapore fell 16.0% by value to A$20.62 million (US$14.14 million), with volumes down 12.0% to 1.32 million liters.
Hong Kong, ranked seventh globally, recorded a 22.5% decline in value to A$15.00 million (US$10.29 million). Volumes fell 19.7% to 1.38 million liters.
Thailand ranked eighth, with export value climbing 26.3% to A$14.67 million (US$10.06 million), almost matching Hong Kong. Volumes, however, fell 14.1% to 1.47 million liters. The divergence suggests a shift toward higher-priced wines in Australia’s shipments to the market.
Exports to Japan, Australia’s ninth-largest market by value, declined 16.8% to A$10.35 million (US$7.10 million). Volumes dropped 5.0% to 2.58 million liters.
Indonesia rounded out the top 10 and recorded the strongest value growth among these Asian destinations. Shipments rose 59.0% to A$7.66 million (US$5.26 million), while volumes increased 44.0% to 376,974 liters.
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