SYDNEY (AFP) — Asia had a thirst for Australian wine in 2008, with an industry report on Thursday naming China, Hong Kong and Japan among its top-five growth markets in an otherwise dismal year.
Low-yield harvests and a strong Australian dollar placed enormous pressure on the country's winegrowers last year, driving down the value of exports for the first time in 15 years, said the government's Wine and Brandy Corporation.
"Despite the challenges there were some highlights during the past 12 months, particularly in Asian markets," the corporation said in its annual report, released Thursday.
While the value of exports to Europe and North America declined -- sinking 17 percent and 25 percent respectively -- Asian exports grew eight percent, with the value of shipments almost double that of Europe.
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