Research commissioned by Wine Tasmania has shown strong growth in Tasmania’s wine sector, making it one of the most significant contributors to the state’s economy.
The research found that Tasmania’s wine sector produces approximately 895,000 bottles of wine worth $420 million annually, a figure that is projected to grow to $2 billion by 2040, making the Tasmanian wine sector the largest contributor to the Tasmanian economy.
In 2022 – 2023, 24 per cent of all visitors to Tasmania will visit a cellar door. Of visitors to Tasmania, the average spend of those who visited cellar doors increased from $3,010 to $4,352.
Wine Tasmania CEO Sheralee Davies says the report demonstrates the impressive scale and growth of Tasmania’s wine sector.
“Tasmania’s wine sector is based on agriculture, but its value is growing exponentially through winemaking and wine tourism. Almost every community in Tasmania is directly or indirectly linked to the wine sector, including through employment, investment and tourism in our regional areas.
“A quarter of visitors to Tasmania visit our regional cellar doors, with these visitors staying longer and spending more than others.”
The research also revealed an impressive employment performance in Tasmania’s wine sector. With 3,600 full-time equivalent jobs, Tasmania’s winemaking workforce has increased by 74 per cent compared to a 29 per cent decline nationally, making it the only state to increase its winemaking workforce over the past decade.
Over the same period, Tasmania was the only state where the number of women in grape growing roles increased by 115 per cent.
“From humble beginnings in the 1950s, so many people have worked tirelessly over a long period of time to make this sector the impressive success it is today,” Mr Davies added. “This is despite many challenges along the way and official advice that the island was too cold and unpredictable to ever be a regional wine champion.
“Tasmania is now leading the country through its global profile, grape and wine value, cellar door visits and market-led growth, as well as regional employment and investment. This reputation, coupled with a changing climate and wine preferences, will see further growth in the coming years.
“While the growth reflects confidence in Tasmania’s wine sector, it also comes with some risk. There is an opportunity for future growth to be carefully considered and managed to ensure Tasmania builds on its strong platform of today.”
