Exports of Cognac have grown for a fourth consecutive year, rising by 5.4% in value and 8.2% in volume – the equivalent of 205.9 million bottles – setting a record for the most bottles exported within a 12 month period.

In the 12 months from 1 August 2017 to 31 July 2018, by value the turnover from Cognac exports reached €3.2 billion, accounting for nearly a quarter of the total value of exported French wines.

Of a total 205 million bottles, 89.8 million bottles were shipped to the NAFTA zone (Canada, the United States and Mexico), representing a 9.4% rise in volume and 0.2% in value, securing its ninth consecutive year of growth.

The US is overwhelmingly driving demand in this region, accounting for 86.5 million bottles.

“The dark spirits category is growing in the US market, encouraged by the historical presence of cognac and the constant investments of the cognac houses,” said Patrick Raguenaud, president of the Bureau National Interprofessional du Cognac (BNIC). “This is ensuring that shipments towards the US continue to grow year on year.”