U.S. leads global shipments in both volume and value as shipments rebound nearly 64 percent from 2020 levels
March 23 – WASHINGTON – The Champagne Bureau, USA, today announced that 34,119,758 bottles of Champagne were shipped to the United States in 2021, a 63.9 percent increase year-over-year in the adjusted final annual figures and the most bottles shipped to any country outside of France. In addition, the value of these shipments reached more than $872.5 million (€793.5 million) in 2021, again the highest of any country outside of France. Globally, Champagne shipped 322 million bottles in 2021, an increase of 32 percent from 2020 as COVID-19 restrictions eased worldwide.
“Champagne has bounced back as the United States made progress towards recovery from the global pandemic, including a return to in-person celebrations and fewer restrictions at restaurants and bars across the country,” said Jennifer Hall, director of the Champagne Bureau, USA. “We are proud to say that not only did Champagne shipments to the United States rebound last year, but the United States led all countries in shipment volume for the first time in decades.”
The closure of primary consumption and sales hubs, along with the cancellation of in-person events, put pressure on the Champagne industry globally in 2020. However, thanks in part to steps taken by the Comité Champagne to preserve the economic fabric of the Champagne industry and consumers finding new ways to enjoy Champagne even in the face of unprecedented restrictions, global shipments increased by 32 percent year-over-year in 2021.
The Champagne industry has weathered global upheaval before, most recently following the 2008 financial crisis. Shipments to the United States fell nearly 27 percent in 2009. However, as in 2021, the shipments quickly bounced back, and the industry subsequently saw seven consecutive years of growth in the United States between 2012 and 2019, with an average 6.2 percent growth in volume per year. Champagne now hopes for a similar cycle of growth as the industry heads into 2022 and beyond.
