The French origin represents a market share of approximately 60% in Hong Kong (38% of imported wines get there via brokers or French traders). More than one third of bottles are however re-exported to China. Bordeaux is the first supplier, both in terms of volume and of value.

« The channel is becoming more professional and the show becomes more mature, as the market does. It is strengthened by the Wine School, an auction sale and the Bordeaux Index exchange platform, describes Marc Allard. 40,000 individuals now live on the wine trade in Hong Kong and 850 companies have been created in the segment since 2008.

This is still a market based on opportunities, but in the long term ». Hong Kong obviously imports the whole of its wine consumption, for a turnover of €640 million in 2010, an increase of 73% (which follows an increase of 80% in 2008 and of 41% in 2009). The figure reached €671 million for the first nine months of 2011. « Burgundies are starting to interest importers (the Chamber of Commerce had organised BtoB meetings within hotels during the Wine Fair), but wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon show the biggest growth on the Chinese market in 2010, with the support of Sud de France Export, says Marc Allard.

Champagnes were a big success, well represented during the fair by the premium selection of Bettane & Desseauve. As far as white wines are concerned, consumers are still mainly expats, as is the case for rosé ». Average price has doubled on wines to reach CNY 150 approximately (€18) and spirits are catching up, with an increase of 8% in 2010. « Wine is becoming more and more popular among collectors, who are always looking for expensive products.

Information is a demand with schools and tasting courses being created at the same speed as new importers ». The Wine Fairwere in  development in 2012  with an extra hall and more tasting rooms and will reinforce its segmentation of fine wines while strengthening the already strong presence of service and logistics operators. Enough to keep the 11 offices of HKTDC working on the Chinese demand occupied (41 in the world).

November 2012