Why the UK could become number one for Champagne
As the UK’s thirst for Champagne rises, and US demand falters, it could be that the former nation regains its position as the largest export market for Champagne.
That’s the view of chairman of the UK’s Champagne Shippers’ Association – and managing director of Pol Roger Portfolio – James Simpson MW.
Speaking to the drinks business about the UK market earlier this month, Simpson drew attention to the resilience of the demand for Champagne at the moment, pointing out that sales of the fine French fizz are on the rise, in contrast with the situation across the Atlantic – the US is expected to suffer from a fall-off in sales compared to 2024.
It’s a possible change of fortunes db has covered before, when it was believed that the UK might become number one export market for Champagne at the end of last year, taking back a position it has held historically.
However, shipments to the US in 2024 held up better than expected, and actually grew last year, although some of that increase was due to the decision to ship extra stock in the last few weeks of 2024 ahead of the January 2025 inauguration of Donald Trump, and with it the threat of tariffs on Champagne (which eventually came into force in August this year at 15% for many European goods, including Champagne).
Indeed, in 2024, shipments of Champagne to the US grew by 1.9% to total 27.45m bottles, while second largest export market the UK saw numbers decline by 12.7% to 22.3m bottles (see table showing 2024 Champagne shipments, below)
Looking ahead to forecasted totals for this year, Simpson said that he believed that the UK could climb back up to a figure of 24m bottles.
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Meanwhile, he suggested that the US might drop to a similar year-end shipment total, making it possible that the UK becomes the biggest market for Champagne in volume terms – that is, after the sparking wine’s domestic market, France (which consumed a total of 118.2 million bottles in 2024, a decline of 7.2% on the previous year).
Commenting on the current situation, Simpson noted that “UK sales – both month-by-month and year-to-date – are looking pretty positive, to the extent that we may see growth of around 8% to 10% by the end of the year.”
Continuing he said, “Hence, it is looking hopeful that we will be back up at 24 million bottles.”
He then said, “As for the USA, whilst the year-to-date figures are still positive, the direction of travel (in terms of month-by-month) is less thrilling, making it feasible that we might see a drop of around 12% by the year-end.”
He added, “This would mean that the USA would also finish the year somewhere around the 24 million bottle figure – but all does rather depend on the ongoing reaction to the tariffs and how much of the stock that was brought over pre-tariff is still in the system.”
More generally, Simpson commented, “Globally, despite significant concerns and economic challenges, it seems that total Champagne will end up shipping around 270 million bottles – matching the estimated yield from the 2025 vintage.”
That would mean the return of some stability to Champagne after two years of significant declines following a post-Covid boom: Champagne shipments reached a near-record of 326m bottles in 2022, before dropping to 299m in 2023 and then 271m last year.
Champagne shipments 2024
- Total: 271m bottles
- French market: 118.2m (-7.2%)
Top 10 export markets
Champagne shipments in 2024: Top 10 export markets (ranking in volume)Source: Comité Champagne |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | Country | Bottles (2024) | Euros (2024) | Change Bottles ’24→’23 (%) | Change Euros ’24→’23 (%) |
| 1 | USA | 27,450,000 | 819,928,000 | 1.9% | 1.3% |
| 2 | UK | 22,308,000 | 518,726,000 | -12.7% | -5.7% |
| 3 | Japan | 12,452,000 | 385,869,000 | -18.6% | -13.8% |
| 4 | Germany | 9,506,000 | 228,788,000 | -18.5% | -14.6% |
| 5 | Italy | 8,374,000 | 235,388,000 | -15.4% | -11.5% |
| 6 | Belgium | 7,624,000 | 152,653,000 | -5.2% | -5.8% |
| 7 | Australia | 7,297,000 | 147,310,000 | -17.6% | -15.6% |
| 8 | Switzerland | 4,816,000 | 124,097,000 | -20.5% | -24.9% |
| 9 | Spain | 3,733,000 | 105,021,000 | -24.9% | -22.3% |
| 10 | UAE | 3,447,000 | 100,072,000 | 21.6% | 25.7% |
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