Definition: France – Consumption statistics (2005)

Wine among alcoholic beverages and other drinks. In terms of beverage volume (diluted alcohol), wine accounted for 61% of the total, or 55 litres per person per year in 2003/2004 (ONIVINS), and has declined slightly in proportion.

The French consume around 10.5 litres of pure alcohol per person per year for the entire population. If we take the number of consumers over the age of 14 (INSEE), we arrive at 20.7 litres. This figure has been falling for years, in line with lifestyles and society's tolerance threshold. Policies implemented through public health laws aim to reduce consumption by 20% in 5 years.

In 2003, according to Ipsos, the most commonly consumed alcoholic beverage among 12-75 year olds was wine. It is drunk daily by 17.5% of the population, beer by 2.6%, and spirits and other alcoholic beverages by less than 1% of French people.

Wine volumes, trends

French wine consumption is declining, but France remains the world's leading market with sales of 35 million hectolitres (taxed consumption plus own consumption, plus 15 million hectolitres for spirits and industry). The domestic market accounts for two-thirds of French wine sales and 15% of global consumption. After growing until 1956, volumes have been declining since the early 1960s. A redistribution in favour of VQPRD (Quality Wines Produced in a Specific Region) and sparkling wines, and to the detriment of table wines, can be observed despite a slight recovery since the 2000s.

Domestic consumption has fallen sharply, in line with the decline in the number of farmers. Average consumption has fallen from around 160 litres per person per year to 75 litres today (INSEE, consumers over 14 years of age, different from the French population as a whole, which today consumes around 55 litres per person per year).

The differences between volumes and values are clear, despite the lack of clarity in the legal categories. Consumers are increasingly looking for quality.

Value of wine in beverages

Household expenditure on beverages represents approximately 14.2% of food expenditure excluding tobacco, with remarkable stability since the 1960s, or approximately €7.5 billion in 2002 (double the amount in 1960). However, the share of wine has fallen from 63.4% in 1960 to 39% in 2002. Water and fruit juices have seen the most significant growth, rising from 9.2% to 30.7%. Soft drinks, which have grown significantly in volume, are mainly consumed by young people. Those under 35 drink more than those over 35. (Bacchus 2005, according to INSEE)

Wine therefore faces competition from other beverages. Two-thirds of wine is purchased in shops, and one-third is consumed in restaurants by French people. Out-of-home consumption is increasing, particularly in terms of value. Approximately 70% of wine consumed in France is red, despite the decline in volume of red table wines in particular.

Outlook

According to a study conducted by IWSR/GDR for VINEXPO 2005, the decline in French consumption is expected to continue, reaching 29,606 thousand hectolitres in 2008. However, sparkling wines are expected to increase by 0.7% in volume, but this barely limits the 6.6% decline for all wines combined. The loss in value will only be -5.8%.

Still wines priced above €3.75 are expected to gain market share, reaching 29% of volumes.© 2004-2007 Vinimarket.com.