French Wine & Spirits Exports Decline for Third Year; Trade Tensions Key Driver

French wine and spirits exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2025, falling 8% in value to €14.3B and 3% in volume to 168 million cases, according to the Federation of French Wine and Spirits (FEVS). U.S. and Chinese trade barriers were the primary drivers, with higher U.S. tariffs and potential increases in China’s duties sharply curbing demand. Since 2022, exports have fallen 17% in value and the sector dropped from second to third in the rankings behind aerospace and cosmetics. Sales to the U.S. declined 21% to €3B and volumes dipped below 30 million cases; sales to China fell 20% to €767M after anti-dumping duties hit shipments of cognac, armagnac and other spirits. Cognac volumes plunged 15% and value by 24%, the FEVS said. Looking ahead, FEVS Chairman Gabriel Picard noted potential gains from new EU trade deals with India and Mercosur, but access remains tight without improvements in market conditions. Within Europe, exports held steady at €4.1B, with resilience in the UK, South Africa up 22% to €182M, and strong momentum in Vietnam, the Philippines, and Australia.