China to see rapid growth in wine consumption

Chinese adults drink an average of 1.4 liters of wine a year, and the country will continue to see rapid growth in wine consumption, according to a study released in Beijing on March 5.

Robert Beynat, chief executive of Vinexpo, presented an in-depth analysis of world wine and spirits consumption, production and trade trends. The study covers the period from 2007-2011, and an outlook until 2016.

For the 11th year running, Vinexpo entrusted the International Wine and Spirit Research to conduct the global study covering 28 producer countries and 114 wine and spirits markets.

Beynat said wine production and consumption continues to grow globally, despite the ongoing economic crisis. He congratulated China for being the biggest contributor to this growth.

The findings reveal China as the 5th biggest wine consumer and the country is also set to become the world's 6th largest wine producer. China is also the 4th largest importer of wines by volume, and the biggest consumer of spirits.

China saw the fastest growth in wine consumption, a leap of 142.1 percent from 2007-2011, reaching 159.25 million cases, or 1.911 billion bottles, ranking the world's 5th largest consumer.

The study forecast that Chinese wine consumption will continue to increase by 39.62 percent, meaning 71.63 million cases, or 858 million bottles, between 2012-2016. This will be the most rapid growth in the world, ahead of the US and Russia.