WINE MARKET

In Canada wine sales have surpassed those of spirits for the first time.

The Canadian wine industry underwent a significant transformation in the late 1980s and early 1990s as growers introduced wine quality grapes to replace the native Labrusca grape.

Between 1997 and 2005 the industry's real GDP grew at an average 7.1% as opposed to 3.0% for Canadian industry as a whole.

Statistics Canada reports that the value of wines sold in 2005 surpassed the value of spirits for the first time but at 25.2% still lagged beers which represented 50.4% of the alcoholic beverage market.

ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

AMERICAS: Enduring popularity of cocktails drives growth in super-premium spirits

Figures released by the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States show that imports of whiskey and vodka rose year-on-year to June 2006 by 22.4% and 14.9% respectively by value whereas imports of rum declined by 0.7% and brandy and gin imports were virtually static showing increases of 1.1% and 1.8%.

Figures for exports are equally varied with whiskey up 21.7%, rum up 120.6%, brandy up 27.7%, vodka up 78.6% and gin down 13.1%.

The enduring popularity of the cocktail drove the 23% growth in sales of super-premium spirits in 2005.

FOOD & DRINKS

EUROPE: What is the state of the Scandinavian beer market?

Figures show that beer consumption in Sweden, Denmark and Norway has been falling over the last five years. Find out by how much by checking Snapdata's Scandinavian reports which contain figures and charts showing market shares, market size, and historical and forecast growth as well as socio-economic data and sources for further research.