Vinexpo 2009 attracted 46,621 trade visitors from 135 countries during the five-day exhibition in June. The number of visitors declined by 7.5% compared with 2007.
The organisers claim the exhibition set a new record by attracting more non-French visitors; 34% of visitors from came from outside France (15,851).
While French numbers were down 9.7% they were still the majority in attendance. The UK registered second place for the number of visitors with an increase of 1.5% over 2007 to 1,322.
Visitors from China and Hong Kong increased 63.3% (1,189), Thailand (92.9%) and Japan (3.2).
Other countries sending more visitors this year were Norway (24.3%), Sweden (3.9%) and Brazil (37.3%). The number of visitors from North America was similar to 2007 at 1,660 with two thirds from the US and one third from Canada.
Europe maintained its interest in Vinexpo with visitors from Belgium up by 4.5%, Netherlands 5.5%, and Switzerland up 5.8%.
Among the important buying groups seeking to develop their business were: Tesco (UK) Waitrose (UK) the Quebec Alcohol Corporation (SAQ), Charton Hobbs (Canada), Cinoco et Delhaize (Belgium), Total Wine and Southern Wines (USA), ASC Fine Wine (China) and many others.
Marketers By Vinexpo was represented by 46 exhibitors from 11 countries and attracted 12,597 visitors.
Vinexpo 2009 was covered by 1,367 journalists from 54 countries.
