VINEXPO to host Brexit plans in France

28 March, 2017

VINEXPO conference, Bordeaux

VINEXPO will address the key Brexit issues facing the wine and spirits industry at its 2017 wine show in France on June 20.

Britain is set to trigger Article 50 on 28 March and subsequently leave the EU, and VINEXPO wants to confront the potential changes in trade agreements, duty free opportunities and the impact on UK consumer prices. 

Jane Anson, the wine writer set to moderate the conference in Bordeaux said: “Because the UK is the world’s second largest imported wine market and a major spirits exporter, the Brexit challenge is as acute for the UK as it is for wine producers in France, Italy and Spain and elsewhere in the world.”

The value of UK wine imports is running at circa £28 billion according to VINEXPO/IWSR data for 2015 and volume imports are forecast to slow over the next five years.

VINEXPO believe it is possible that the UK could lose its leading position for re-export, see changes in market duties and a potential decrease in export figures.

Exports of all spirits from the UK reached £4.9 billion in 2016, according to the Wine & Spirit Trade Association, the major part lead by Scotch whisky exports.

More than 48,000 wine producers and buyers from 150 countries are expected to attend the VINEXPO conference in June.

Guillaume Deglise, CEO of VINEXPO added: “In a wider context, among our 48,000 attendees there will be producers and buyers currently excluded from the EU favourable tariff zone who see Brexit as an opportunity to penetrate the UK wine and spirits market.”





Digital Edition

Drinks International digital edition is available ahead of the printed magazine. Don’t miss out, make sure you subscribe today to access the digital edition and all archived editions of Drinks International as part of your subscription.

Comment

La'Mel Clarke

Service isn’t servitude: the skill of hosting

La’Mel Clarke, front of house at London’s Seed Library, looks at the forgotten art of hosting and why it deserves the same respect as bartending.

Instagram

Facebook