South Australian wine exports to China have risen back to near-record levels in the first full year since tariffs were removed, with SA outperforming the other states in its recapture of the market, new ABS trade data reveals.

South Australia exported $855 million of wine to China in the year to March 2025—a 200-fold increase on the previous year, and 86 percent of Australia’s total of $987 million.

The data shows that the state accounted for 69% of Australia’s total global wine exports in the 12 months to March—$1.906 billion of the total $2.76 billion. This is an increase in SA’s export market share, which at the peak of global wine exports in October 2020 stood at 65%.

“The rapid recovery of South Australia’s wine export industry has exceeded even the most optimistic predictions of a year ago when tariffs were removed,” said SA’s Trade and Investment Minister Joe Szakacs.

“The $855 million in wine exports in the past year is an exceptional result. It’s just reward for the patience and resilience that producers demonstrated through a very challenging and uncertain period of trade disruption.

“South Australia has done the heavy lifting for Australian wine, increasing both our size and market share of exports.

Inca Lee, chief executive of the South Australian Wine Industry Association said the results were strong, but reiterated the need to continue growing demand both in China and in other markets to ensure long-term success for the industry.

“South Australia’s premium wines are once again capturing the attention of Chinese consumers, solidifying the state’s reputation for world-class winemaking excellence,” said Lee.

“At a time when we are seeing a global decline in wine consumption and an unpredictable trading landscape, we acknowledge the Malinauskas Government’s commitment to rebuilding our exports into China, and supporting diversification efforts into other key export markets.”

Are you a Daily Wine News subscriber? If not, click here to join our mailing list. It’s free!