Wine Industry Statistics - Winegrape Production Outlook

Viticultural Information

• Area under vines by state
• Area of winegrapes by selected State, GI zone and derived zone
• Area of grape varieties
• Vineyard plantings by state
• Vineyard plantings of selected varieties
• State's production of winegrapes
• Winegrape production outlook
• Winegrapes commercially grown in Australia
• Vintage reports

Winegrape Production Outlook

According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE), in 2010-11, winegrape production is projected to increase by 10% relative to 2009-10, to 1.78 million tonnes (see table below). This forecast is based on the assumption of favourable seasonal conditions (that is, without the occurrence of a severe weather event, as experienced in each of the past three years). The average yield of wine grapes is forecast to be 11.2 tonnes per hectare in 2010-11, and the bearing area of vines is forecast to be 159,800 ha. In 2011-12, winegrape production is expected to remain steady as national bearing area is only expected to increase marginally.

Red winegrapes are expected to account for the majority of winegrapes produced in Australia throughout the projection period (see table below). This reflects the larger bearing area of red winegrape varieties in Australia, which is sufficient to offset their generally lower yields compared with white winegrapes. Shiraz is expected to remain the highest-volume winegrape variety produced in Australia throughout the projection period. Chardonnay is expected to be the next greatest represented variety, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon. Collectively, these three varieties are expected to account for 60% of total Australian winegrape production in 2011-12, similar to the 61% they accounted for in 2008-09. Merlot and Semillon are expected to remain the next largest varieties produced in Australia, followed by Sauvignon Blanc.

In 2010-11 and 2011-12, wine grape production in the warm climate zones is expected to increase. This projection is based on the assumption of favourable seasonal conditions and, accordingly, a recovery in the yields in these zones from the levels of 2009-10. Production in the cool-climate zones in 2010-11 and 2011-12 is projected to fall slightly, by 1%, relative to 2009-10. This projection is based on the assumption that yields for some varieties will return to their long-term average which is slightly below that achieved in 2009-10.