(TheAustralian) - WINE exports to Australia's biggest markets in the US and Britain continued to slide last year in value terms despite increasing volumes, as deflation and increased bulk exports cut the average bottle price. Figures from export marketing body Wine Australia showed sales to Britain rose by 3 per cent to 255.6 million litres, but the value of the sales slipped by 5 per cent to $450.9 million, while the US saw a 9 per cent surge by volume to 194.4 million litres but a 2 per cent decline in value to $401.2m. Wine Australia put the trend down to the the dollar, with both countries buying more wine in bulk for local bottling rather than pay to bottle it in Australia and ship the heavy glass overseas.