Canada Ratifies Agreement on Wine Labelling

• Get updates on trade, Customs and regulatory changes
• Stay informed on trade compliance seminars,
  workshops and industry events

x

Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada Aug 11, 2015

Canadian wine exporters to directly benefit from new agreement

International Trade Minister Ed Fast and Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Gerry Ritz today announced Canada’s ratification of the World Wine Trade Group (WWTG) Agreement on Requirements for Wine Labelling. The agreement was signed by WWTG participants, which include Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Georgia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States, in January 2007.

The labelling agreement reduces the compliance costs for producing labels that meet the different requirements of various export markets. As most Canadian wineries are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the reduced costs will help to make them more competitive in the global marketplace.

The agreement also enhances the protection of authentic Canadian icewine, the flagship export of the Canadian wine industry, by requiring that wine labelled as icewine be made exclusively from grapes that have been naturally frozen on the vine. This protects the traditional production method of icewine and its reputation as a premium product.

Quick Facts

• Canada exported $66.3 million of wine by value and 64.4 million litres of wine by volume in 2014. Of this, premium wine (non-bulk) comprised $32.6 million or 1.8 million litres.
• Since 2010, the value of Canadian wine exports has grown from $27.9 million to reach $66.3 million in 2014. This represents an increase of 138 percent in value and 332 percent in volume.
• Canada’s top wine export markets by value are the United States, China, Hong Kong, South Korea and the United Kingdom.
• The majority of Canadian wineries are SMEs, with most producing from 1,000 to 75,000 nine-litre cases annually.
• Canada is one of the world’s largest producers of icewine, with annual production varying according to weather conditions and grape harvests. In 2014, Canada’s icewine exports totalled $19.5 million by value and 228,479 litres by volume.

Quotes

“Our government continues to be at the forefront of adopting internationally recognized standards that facilitate trade and open new markets for Canadian exporters, including our SME's.

“This agreement helps the Canadian wine industry by reducing the red tape associated with wine labelling, which in turn reduces costs.

“Canada’s world-class icewine producers will directly benefit allowing them to compete and succeed on the international stage.”

— Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade

“Our government continues to work closely with industry to open, reopen and expand markets for our quality Canadian products. This agreement is another step toward helping producers earn their living from the marketplace and helps to create jobs, growth and prosperity.”

— Gerry Ritz, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food

Associated Links

• World Wine Trade Group Government Website
• World Wine Trade Group Industry section website
• Canadian Vintners Association