Wine exports surge

Half of produce exported each year

Exports of wine reached around $24 million in 2012, according to Elie Maamari, Export Manager at Château Ksara. Exports to the United Kingdom (UK) alone totaled $4.3 million in 2012, marking a 33 percent increase, after a previous 26 percent increase in 2011. Maamari attributed this increase to the campaign launched in the UK by local wine producers in 2010. The Lebanese Association of Wine Producers, 'Union Vinicole du Liban' (UVL), had funded the campaign to raise awareness of Lebanon as a wine producing country through trade events and extensive media coverage. “The campaign included wine tasting events in universities, retail outlets, and supermarkets across the UK, as well as invitations for British journalists to visit Lebanon and write about the sector,” Maamari said.

The campaign concerned prominent wine producers such as Château Ksara, Château Kefraya, and Château Musar, as well as Domaine Wardy, IXSIR Winery, Clos St. Thomas, and Domaine des Tourelles.

Local wineries produce around seven million bottles each year, 3.5 million of which are exported, according to Maamari. The average export price is around $7 per bottle.

Export markets include Europe, America, Africa, Australia, and a few Arab countries like Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Syria, Iraq, Jordan, and Egypt. Countries in West Europe are the best export market for local wine, according to Maamari. “Lebanese wine is now available in all Marks & Spencer branches in the UK and France, and it will eventually be exported to the chain's outlets in Asia,” he said.