The sector has weathered the return of the (financial) crisis fairly well, said federation president Louis Fabrice Latour at a press conference.
The federation said there was growth around the world, particularly in Asia though less so in Europe, and was due mainly to sales of Bordeaux wines, Cognac and Champagne.
With a surplus of 8.6 billion, wine and spirits were the second-largest contributor to Frances trade balance after the aerospace industry and ahead of the perfume and cosmetics sector, the federation said.
Latour said the growth was due more to a 10.5 per cent rise in prices than to a 2.4 per cent increase in volume.
Export to emerging markets continued to rise, and in 2011 accounted for more than 1 billion, the federation said.
Export to Asia rose sharply, with China jumping two spots to become the third-largest importer of French wine and spirits after the United States and Britain.
Latour said the United States also registered a spectacular boost in imports, with Champagne up 18.6 per cent in terms of value and 12.2 per cent in terms of volume, after a dip owing to the financial crisis.
He said the sector was having some difficulty recapturing sales in traditional markets such as Germany and Britain, because of fierce competition and the crisis.
Belgium, Frances third-largest European importer, was for example in the red across the board, with sales down 7 per cent and shipments down 6 per cent.
Europe still remained the main market for French wine and spirits, at 4.1 billion, up 3 per cent in 2011.
Asia i mported 2.5 billion worth, up 29 per cent, and the Americas 2.1 billion worth, up 9 per cent.The federation said 2012 orders had so far been as expected, and it foresaw stable sales of around 10 billion over the year. AFP
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