Champagne Fights Back in First Quarter

Worldwide Champagne sales volumes rose 19.4 percent in the first quarter of the year on the same period in 2009, reflecting the end of destocking on the part of importers and distributors, according to trade body CIVC.

Volume sales to EU and non-EU countries were up 25.8 percent and 59 percent respectively in the first three months of 2010. French sales increased 8.1 percent.

“From the beginning of the fourth quarter 2009 to the end of the first quarter 2010, we have had six months of consecutive growth and these are encouraging signs,” CIVC spokesman Daniel Lorson told just-drinks today (7 May).” It’s perhaps more prudent to speak of a positive trend than a recovery,” he said.

“If what we’ve seen these past months is confirmed in the second quarter of 2010, then perhaps we can begin to talk about a recovery in the market,” Lorson added. Source: Wine & Spirits News