CANBERRA, July 29 (Xinhua) -- Australian wine exports declined in the year ended June 2026 as global wine consumption fell, industry data showed on Wednesday.

File photo: AFP

The fall mirrors broader global trends as consumers increasingly moderate alcohol intake, face cost-of-living pressures and switch to alternative beverages, according to Wine Australia, the country's wine industry body.

Export value fell 7 percent to 2.3 billion Australian dollars (about 1.6 billion U.S. dollars), while export volume dropped 6 percent to 598 million liters, the first time shipments have fallen below 600 million liters since 2004, said a Wine Australia report.

The report said lower- and mid-priced wines were hit hardest, while premium wines proved more resilient.

Many competing wine-producing nations, including France, Italy, Spain, Chile and South Africa, also recorded weaker export performance during the year, according to Wine Australia.