Thursday 15 de november de 2018

Information for the Press N°: 463/18

Within the context of its 20th anniversary, the World Wine Trade Group (WWTG), chaired by Argentina, meets to begin discussions.

The meeting, taking place on 15-16 November, is attended by high-ranking representatives from the governments and wine industries of Argentina, Australia, Chile, the United States, New Zealand, South Africa, among others.

On behalf of Argentina, the meeting was opened by the Governor of the Province of Neuquén, Omar Gutiérrez, the President of the National Institute of Viticulture, Carlos Tizio Mayer, as well as officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Secretariat for Agro-Industry.

On the first day, the Group issued a Joint Statement highlighting the fact that the WWTG has become a global leader on issues related to wine trade since 1998, promoting the vision of a successful, competitive and growing wine industry at the global level. The Group currently accounts for 30% of global exports, 31% of global production and 27% of global wine consumption.

At the meeting, possible shared solutions to current challenges faced by international wine trade will be considered, including the strategic review of the Group's objectives and discussion of principles that facilitate wine exports.

Chairing the Group is an opportunity for Argentina to promote viticulture and contribute to the development of regional economies. Argentina, in its capacity as the fifth largest wine producer, the second largest must exporter and the tenth largest wine exporter to approximately 130 countries in the world, chairs the Group with a view to increasing market access for viticultural products. The meeting in Neuquén showcases to the world the Southern viticultural area, featuring technical visits to renowned wineries along the wine route of the provinces of Nequén and Río Negro.

The next meeting of the Group will be held in April 2019 and will also be headed by Argentina for the last time, before handing over to Chile in May 2019.