Wine consumption increased 6.5% in 2020, the highest increase in Five Years

Wine consumption increased 6.5 percent in 2020, which led to an increase in per capita consumption to an average of 21 liters, reported the National Institute of Viticulture (INV).

Total consumption was 943 million liters, 57 million more than the previous period, the most important brand in the last five years.

According to INV, the drop in consumption began to be noticed in 2017, with a mark of 20.2 liters per person, an amount that was accentuated in 2018 when it became 18.9 liters per person.

Meanwhile, he pointed out that in 2019 consumption improved slightly, with 19.63 liters per person, and in 2020 it became 21 liters, a volume similar to that of 2016.

The INV report highlighted that in 2020 red wines regained ground, with a growth of 9% compared to the previous year.

Total consumption was 943 million liters, 57 million more than the previous period, the most important brand in the last five years

With regard to market share, red wines account for 78% of consumption, while whites 22%.

The INV report highlighted that in 2020 red wines regained ground, with a growth of 9% compared to the previous year.

Regarding packaging, glass bottles and especially large bottles, were the stars of this upturn with a 35% increase, contributing 49 million liters.

Like what happened in the rest of the world due to the coronavirus, sparkling wines suffered from the lack of celebrations and events and marked drops of close to 15% compared to 2019.

In terms of market share, red wines account for 78% of consumption, while white wines 22%

Martin Hinojosa, president of the National Institute of Viticulture, said that “The work carried out by the Nation, in conjunction with the INV and public and private entities during a considerably difficult year brought its fruits”.

“From the Ministry of Agriculture we bet strongly on the wine industry, regional economy of various Argentine provinces,” added the official.

“Undoubtedly, wine was the one chosen by consumers in 2020, such a particular year traversed by a global pandemic”, Concluded the official.

Winemakers against price control

After the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (Indec) announced that inflation in 2020 reached 36.1%, and in the face of an acceleration in the rise in prices in December, the wine industry asked the national government that its products are no longer on the list of the Maximum Prices program.

It should be noted that according to the latest Market Expectations Survey (REM) of the Central Bank, inflation would be around 49.8% in 2021.

Bodegas de Argentina pointed out that since the plan began at the end of last March, the Government “only authorized two increases of four and six percent.”

In that framework, Argentine wineries, the entity that brings together more than 200 wineries throughout the country, said that since the aforementioned program has been in force, “duly justified at the time by the unprecedented situation of the pandemic“. This industry assumed the commitment as an essential activity to accompany the national government” and that the sector now needs the prices of these products to be released.

Based on the information provided by the Government on the official page of Maximum Prices, in the province of Buenos Aires the amount of wine products amounts to around 40.

The entity pointed out that since the plan began at the end of last March, the Government “only authorized two increases of four and six percent.”