Jim Delegat, managing director of Delegat's Group, says the super premium segment of the wine market is growing. Photo / Greg Bowker
Delegat's Group announced record sales at its annual meeting yesterday and said it had doubled its share of New Zealand wine industry exports.
Managing director Jim Delegat said the year's results were testament to the company's global strategy.
Over the five-year period to 2008 the group's share of
total New Zealand wine industry exports by volume increased from 6.6 to 13.8 per cent and export case sales now represent 88 per cent of Delegat's' total case sales.
Total revenue increased to $165.3 million, up 23 per cent from $134.8 million in 2007. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (ebitda) were 46 per cent ahead of last year at $55.4 million.
The year's profit, at $19.1 million, was 77 per cent ahead of the 2007 year.
The company leads exports of New Zealand's most popular export sauvignon blanc, but also grew its presence in chardonnay, merlot and pinot noir categories.
Delegat's Group's export case sales grew 20 per cent, while the wine industry as a whole grew at 17 per cent.
Cases averaged $112 for the year, 5 per cent ahead of the previous year. Industry export earnings are average $81 per case.
Delegat said the super premium segment of the wine market was growing globally. "This trend is driven by consumers continuing to trade up to stand-out brands from leading wine regions of the world."
Oyster Bay is the number one New Zealand wine brand in the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada and was named the fastest growing of major New Zealand wine brands in the United States. It was awarded Brand of the Year at the 2007 Australian Liquor Industry awards and Premium White Wine of the Year for the third consecutive year, Delegat said.
