Exports lift Champagne shipments by 2% through October 2026
Champagne shipments reached 203.6 million bottles in the first ten months of 2026, up 2% year on year, as a 5.6% increase in exports outweighed a 3.5% decline in France. October was weaker, with total shipments falling 3.4%.
Exports offset the decline in France
Figures from Comité Champagne show that 203.6 million bottles were shipped from January through October 2026, 2% more than in the same period of 2025. France accounted for 75.3 million bottles, down 3.5%, while exports increased 5.6% to 128.4 million bottles and represented slightly more than 63% of the total.1
European Union markets excluding France received 39 million bottles over the ten months, an increase of 6.7%. Shipments to markets outside the EU rose 5.1% to 89.4 million bottles. Together, these gains more than offset the contraction in the French market.1
October shipments decline ahead of year-end trade
The monthly picture deteriorated in October: total shipments fell 3.4% year on year to 29.6 million bottles. Shipments in France dropped 7.3% to 11.1 million bottles, while exports decreased 1% to 18.6 million.1
Within October exports, EU destinations increased 1.2% to 6.9 million bottles, whereas non-EU markets declined 2.2% to 11.7 million. October has historically represented an average 11.8% of annual Champagne shipments, making the setback significant before the year-end holiday period.1
Champagne houses outperform growers and cooperatives
Champagne houses recorded the strongest January-to-October result: their shipments rose 4.1% to 155.4 million bottles. Their exports increased 6.8%, while their shipments within France declined 2.2%.1
Growers shipped 32.1 million bottles, down 4.4% overall. Their volumes in France contracted 7.7%, although exports advanced 6.2%.1
Cooperative shipments declined 3.3% to 16.2 million bottles. Unlike houses and growers, cooperatives lost volume abroad, with exports falling 8.7%, while their French shipments grew 2.8%. Their total shipments fell particularly sharply in October, by 17.5% year on year.1
Rolling annual volume shows limited growth
In the rolling 12 months from November 2025 through October 2026, Champagne shipments totaled 270.2 million bottles, up 0.4%. French shipments were 4.1% lower and exports 3.8% higher. By producer category, houses gained 2.1%, while growers declined 4.7% and cooperatives 2.1%.1
The final result for 2026 will depend on November and December shipments. The comparison point is the 266 million bottles shipped during 2025.1
United Kingdom provides export support
Shipments to the United Kingdom increased 5.8% by volume and 7.1% by value between January and September 2026, according to Comité Champagne, while the average shipment price rose 1.3%.1
James Simpson, president of the Champagne Agents’ Association, cautioned that shipments should not be equated with consumer purchases. NIQ data showed comparatively steady UK supermarket sales, up 1.7% by volume and 1.5% by value to £204.5 million, with an average price of £27.93.1
The United Kingdom received 22.7 million bottles in 2025. Simpson said the market could exceed 24 million bottles in 2026 if the current growth rate continues, moving closer to the 25.5 million bottles shipped in 2023.1
Sources
Written by the Dionysus editors from the sources above.
