Australian wine exporters are getting more money per litre for their products, according to latest official statistics. Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation (AWBC) monthly statistics continued the unbroken series of records with year ended February 2003 figures showing a 26% increase in volume to 482m litres and a 32% increase in value. Total export value is now an annual A$2.35 billion (US$1.5 billion) while the value per litre average has risen to A$4.88. The AWBC attributes the rise in value to increasing demand for bottled wine, particularly white. Another factor was the strength of the relatively higher returning US market. Bottled wines dominate the export mix, being 81% of volume and 92% of value of all export shipments.
