14 Mar 2011

Wine industry profitability still a concern

5:57 am on 14 March 2011

New Zealand Winegrowers says profitability for both growers and wine companies is an ongoing concern for the industry.

Chief executive Philip Gregan says it's positive that wine sales in the year to the end of June, are expected to exceed last year's production by 30 million litres.

However a combination of lower prices for exports and the trend of some overseas retailers bottling wine under their own brands is a worry, he says.

Mr Gregan says they don't expect much growth in the sale of retailer own brands but would like to see continued growth in the sale of bottled wines which are up 10% in the current year.