With much of the record 2021 wine vintage being prepared for delivery to the export market over the next six months, we dive into viticulture.

16.3 million glasses of Australian wine are enjoyed overseas each day, according to Wine Australia. The recent export report released by the industry body last week highlights the growing interest in Australian wine in some key export markets.

In the past 12 months, there has been a renewed focus on expanding the volume of exports to a greater variety of markets. This shift has been driven by the imposition of import tariffs on bottled wine in the Chinese market. Statistics from Wine Australia highlight important positive trends in increasing market diversification.  

• Exports to the UK and Europe are at their highest level in a decade while the number of wine exporters to the US is the highest since the Global Financial Crisis in 2009.
• There has been an observed strengthening in the Southeast Asia market where shipments increased 43% to $255 million over the course of the year. Singapore, accounting for two-thirds of the Southeast Asia market, increased 76% over the 12 months to 30 September 2021.

Wine Australia Export Dashboard 2021.

Merricks Capital is actively invested in viticulture opportunities. High-quality assets and vineyard developments with favourable varietal mixes (e.g. white wine and pinot noir) continue to be highly sought after in the market.

These types of assets form the basis of Merricks Capital’s current investments in viticulture across the Partners Fund and Agriculture Credit Fund portfolios, along with several opportunities in the pipeline.

All data sourced from: Wine Australia for Australian Wine “Export Report for the 12 months to 30 September 2021”