US wine exports fall sharply

US wine exports plunged almost a third in 2025, falling from just under $1 billion to $655 million in the first nine months of the year, as trade tensions and tariff policies take their toll on the industry.

According to S&P Global data, the US suffered the steepest decline in wine exports among major producers, losing $300 million in revenue - a drop nearly three times greater than Australia’s. Analysts attribute much of the downturn to the collapse of the Canadian and Chinese markets, long-standing pillars for US wineries, amid ongoing tariff disputes.

This is the most pronounced export drop in recent memory according to industry observers, who note that smaller US wineries reliant on overseas buyers have been particularly affected. Many foreign investors are reportedly hesitant to engage, citing concerns about political and economic uncertainty in the US.

While total US wine sales remain dominated by domestic consumption, the export slump highlights vulnerabilities for producers who depend on international markets.

The fall underscores a broader trend of commercial turbulence, where restrictive trade measures ripple through the sector, hitting both revenue and confidence. For US wineries, navigating overseas markets has become a high-stakes gamble in a rapidly shifting global wine economy.