Press release November 26th 2012
Rabobank Report: A New Wine Frontier
With maturing or declining sales in many traditional markets, wine companies across the globe are increasingly searching
for new growth markets. Emerging markets are attracting the interest of nearly all major wine companies. But those
companies that were late to invest in these markets often have a greater challenge as the competition has already
established routes to market and has garnered share of mind with the consumer. While China and South Korea probably rank
as the most attractive emerging wine markets, Rabobank has identified Mexico, Brazil, Poland and Nigeria as four ‘hidden
gems’ that have the potential to become important growth markets. Early investments to establish a route to market and
build brand awareness hold the key to long term growth in these markets.
Hidden gem markets are not currently the largest nor the most attractive wine markets in the world. These markets offer
good prospects for long term growth, but are in earlier stages of development and may thus carry more risk. However, the
rewards for identifying hidden gem markets, investing early and successfully developing a beachhead may be worth the
risk for some companies. Rabobank’s four hidden gems - Mexico, Brazil, Poland and Nigeria - each offer good prospects of
medium to longer term growth for ambitious wine exporters willing to make early investments in building their brands in
these markets.
The Mexican market may be easy to overlook, but it is proving lucrative for many suppliers. As well as enjoying a strong
economy, the growth in the middle class population is leading to improved wine consumption trends and wine imports grew
at a 20 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), between 2006 and 2011. Similarly, imported wine volumes in Brazil
grew by nearly 30 percent in the four years from 2007 and 2011 due to growing interest in wine and limitations of
domestic producers to match the quality of imports. Poland too, has seen strong growth in demand for imported wine, and
although pricing remains constrained, the relatively low levels of corruption may make it an attractive option for
foreign investors. In contrast, Nigeria is far less transparent than Poland and requires a much higher tolerance for
risk, but wine imports have been growing at a 16 percent CAGR in recent years, and the government has made progress in
modernising the economy and reducing social conflict. With a population of approximately 170 million and large strategic
petroleum reserves, Nigeria has a strong foundation for continued economic growth and increased demand for wine.
Stephen Rannekleiv, Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research analyst said: “Wine companies are now facing the question of what to do with these four hidden
gems. Although they present opportunities, each has a very different market with much uncertainty for traditional
branded wine companies. Furthermore, along with the opportunities in these markets come risks, and the possibility that
the opportunity may not be realised. The flip side is that early exposure to nascent markets gives a company hard-won
experience and expertise as well as a head start on the competition that will likely emerge as the markets develop. Wine
companies that manage these opportunities correctly have a chance at securing long-term profitable growth”.
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