UNITED KINGDOM

The United Kingdom is the second largest export market for U.S. wines, totaling $243 million in 2019, and wine is the largest U.S. agricultural product exported to the U.K. by value (roughly 15% of total U.S. agricultural exports in 2019). The United Kingdom left the European Union on Dec. 31, 2020 creating opportunities for the removal of tariff and non-tariff barriers. To ensure a smooth transition for California wineries during the “Brexit” phase and the current day, Wine Institute advocated for a wine agreement between the U.S. and the U.K. to rollover benefits such as a simplified export certificate for exports to Great Britain. Exports to Northern Ireland will remain under E.U. rules for a few years, due to an agreement between the U.K. and the E.U. to not have border checks between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. 

The United Kingdom is now able to negotiate trade agreements, including a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States. Wine Institute supports these discussions for an improved trading relationship including the elimination of tariffs and certificates. In addition, outreach efforts are underway to encourage the United Kingdom to join the World Wine Trade Group providing further benefits such as mutual recognition of winemaking practices and common labeling elements. Wine Institute is working closely with the U.K.’s Wine and Sprit Trade Association (WSTA) to secure trade flows and continue growing the U.K. market.