Rioja grows in exports and leads the National Wine Market with D.O.

The Doc is the Spanish market leader with a 26.8 % share and stands out internationally with 39 % of wines exports with D.O. from Spain, surpassing other European regions in the main markets

The Doca Rioja consolidates its leadership in the national and international wine market with denomination of origin. With a 26.8 % share in the Spanish market - and a highlight 38.5 % in the red segment - Rioja maintains a wide advantage over other denominations. In the international arena, it also reinforces its position by concentrating 39 % of the total volume exported by wines with D.O. of Spain, almost two points more than in 2023, growing above the set of European denominations.

The data and analysis of Nielsen IQ and the interprofessional organization of the wine of Spain (Oive) complete the marketing balance of 2024, presented by the Regulatory Council last February, in which it was already anticipated that, despite a complicated context for the sector, the total sales of Rioja grew 0.63 % in 2024, reaching 328,461,466 traded bottles, equivalent to 240,046,448 liters, despite the general fall in world consumption of wine.

Leadership in the national market

The Nielsen IQ report - notice in wine expeditions from the wineries, but in real sales to the final consumer in the food and hospitality channels - reveals that the sales of wines with denomination of origin in Spain decreased by 1 % in 2024. In the specific case of red wines, the fall was 2.7 %. In line with this general trend, Doc Rioja wines experienced a decrease of 2.1 % in volume, although the denomination maintains a solid leadership position, with a fee of 26.8 %, far ahead of the following D.O., according to the consultant.

In the red wines segment - the Rioja emblem - the doca even improved its market share, reaching 38.5 % of the volume marketed in this category. As for pink wines, Rioja maintains a solid second position, while in the white category also consolidates its second place nationwide, with a quota of 8.3 %, a point above the third D.O., in a context of growth of the white market, which increased 1.7 % in 2024.

“Wines with denomination of origin in Spain face great challenges, both in home consumption and outside it. In this context, Rioja's wines face these challenges from a leadership position in both commercial environments. Work in new moments of consumption, respond to the demand for healthier options, capture new audiences and consolidate as the first option in the most premium segment are some of the strategic levers that Rioja must Continue to develop in the coming years, ”says Ricardo Alcón, Client Development Manager of Nielsen IQ

International rise and reinforcement exports

In the international arena, as stood out in February, Rioja exports in 2024 showed extraordinary behavior, with sales growth and presence in 135 countries.

According to the data of the Interprofessional Organization of the Wine of Spain (Oive) Rioja reached in 2024 an exports figure of 96.7 million liters, with a turnover of 520 million euros. This represents a growth of 3.7 % in volume and 2.2 % in value, gaining market share compared to other national and European denominations. Rioja represented 39 % of the total volume exported by wines with D.O. In Spain, almost two points more than in the previous year.

In the 12 main international markets - which concentrate 64 % of world packaging wine - Rioja sales increased 6 % by volume and 4 % in value. In addition, Rioja's overall quota in the world packaging wine market stood at 1.9 % of the volume and 2.2 % of the total value, consolidating its position as one of the most competitive wine regions in the world.

Compared to other great international producers, Rioja also improved its relative position. While countries such as New Zealand, Germany or the United States registered significant falls, and France remained practically stable, Rioja won quota in the global trade of packaged wines, reaching 1.9 % of the total volume of world sales.

As explained by Begoña Olavarría, director of Economic Intelligence of the Oive, "2024 was a particularly positive year for the wines of Doca Rioja, which increased their exports by 3.7 % in volume and 2.2 % in value, reaching 96.7 million liters exported and a turnover of 520 million euros ”.

The data of the Oive presented today also indicate that, in the 12 main international markets, which concentrate 64 % of the world -packaged worldwide trade, Rioja grew over the whole of European denominations. Sales in these markets increased 4 % in value and 6 % in volume, which reinforces its global projection.

"The wines of the Doca Rioja gain export fee not only with respect to the rest of the wines with Spanish DOP and in the 12 main markets analyzed, but also in the world of world trade in packaging, which closed 2024 at its lowest level since 2009. In this context, Rioja represented 2.2 % of the value and 1.9 % of the total volume of packaged wine marketed in the world", Olavarría has detailed.

"This evolution reinforces the image of Rioja as an international prestige brand, capable of competing in quality and volume with the great wine regions of France and Italy", he has concluded.