VERONA - After the decline in 2020 due to the pandemic, in the first seven months of 2021 there was robust growth for the wine and spirits sector, with + 14.5% in the first sector and + 23.2% in 'spirits' , with companies attentive to innovation and customer change.
This is attested by the "Wine and spirits" report prepared by Sace, Mediobanca and Ipsos, illustrated today in Verona as part of the Vinitaly Special Edition.
For wines, the driving force is given by extra-European markets, in particular the USA; for alcoholic beverages, the overtaking of cider over vermouth was recorded. At a regional level, the recovery in exports is widespread, with double-digit rates in the first 5 regions, headed by Veneto, which alone accounts for a third of total exports, even if it is growing at a lower than average rate (+12 % in wines).
From the analysis of the market it emerges that the 2020 pandemic has consolidated some trends in progress. The wineries remain the protagonists (+ 4.5%) driven by online, in particular (+ 74.9%) by company sites; new products are growing such as organic wine (+ 10.1%), in particular vegan and natural ones (2% of the market). Companies, with a -3.9% in turnover, represent the most resilient segment compared to other beverages. Assets are resisting, taking measures not to protect themselves but bases for recovery.
The increase in indebtedness did not compromise capital stability, because companies were able to post monetary revaluations on intangible assets.
The trend is towards growth to buy local products, with an increase in online attention.
Other dynamics concern the drive for naturalness and attention to 'organic' wine, mostly of women residing in the Centrosud territories.
The trends observed in September 2021 indicate a greater push towards convenience over quality, for 25% of consumers of still wines and 31% of sparkling wines.
The "infidelity" rate concerns 65% of consumers for stills and 72% for sparkling wines, a sign that the desire to change is very high.
