Cava exports at record high in 2012

Global Cava exports hit record levels in 2012, although the domestic market has contracted further since 2011.

Castillo Perelada: ‘Cava is a must-have listing’

According to the Cava Consejo Regulador, producers sold over 161m bottles to foreign markets in 2012 – a 6% increase over 2011.

In contrast, 81m bottles were sold in Spain in 2012, a 6% fall from the 87m figure recorded in 2011.

The high Spanish level of unemployment and economic crisis are cited as the main culprits.

However, the Consejo reported an overall Cava sales rise of 1.5% – 243m bottles in total were sold in 2012, as opposed to 239m in 2011.

Patrice Lesclaux, export manager for Castillo Perelada in Emporda said that Cava was increasingly seen as a ‘must have’ listing for distributors worldwide.

‘Today, almost all relevant wine importers around the world want to have at least one Cava in their portfolio, as the consumer appreciates Cava for its optimal value for money’, he said.

Germany is currently Cava’s most important foreign market: in 2012 over 39m bottles were sold to German importers.

Written by James Lawrence