United States wine imports fall 25.2% amid global consumption decline

The global wine industry is facing a significant downturn in both consumption and imports. In the United States, wine imports dropped by 25.2% in value during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. Total spending fell to 2,425.6 million euros, while volume decreased by 16.8%, totaling 536.8 million liters. The average price paid per liter also saw a 10.1% reduction.

While most categories experienced declines, Bag-in-Box (BiB) wine was the sole exception, seeing a 12% increase in value and a 49.6% surge in volume. Major exporters like France and Italy saw significant decreases in their sales to the U.S. market.

This trend mirrors a broader decline in global wine consumption, which has fallen by 14% over the last seven years. In Spain, consumption dropped by 6.1% in April 2026 compared to the previous year, representing a loss of nearly 80 million standard 0.75-liter bottles in just twelve months. Industry professionals have expressed growing concern regarding the economic stability of the viticulture and distribution sectors.