Champagne makers celebrate record sales ahead of Christmas despite effects of inflation

Champagne sales are expected to reach a record this year, despite inflation that could have made consumers shun the expensive bubbly, producers said ahead of the start of year-end celebrations around the world.

Champagne sales reached an all-time high last year at €5.7 billion (US$6.05 billion), as the relaxation of pandemic-related curbs fuelled a surge in exports.

“We will very likely beat this record again and 2022 will be the new champagne record in terms of turnover,” David Chatillon, chairman of the Union of Champagne Houses (UMC), told Reuters in Reims, in eastern France, home to some of the most famous Champagne makers.

Sales would also rise by volume this year compared with the 320 million bottles sold in 2021, but remain below the 2007 record of 339 million bottles, he said.

“We have consumers who are perhaps less impacted by inflation than others and we have noticed since the end of the pandemic crisis that people want to have fun, they want good products and opening a bottle of champagne is in itself a celebration,” Chatillon said.

Export sales were also expected to reach record highs.

“Our first three markets, the United States, Britain and Japan, are doing very well and so are the other European destinations,” Chatillon said.