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Germany is the fourth largest wine producer in the European Union after France, Italy, and Spain. German wine production from the 2022 harvest for marketing in CY 2023 is estimated at 9.4 million hectoliters, 9.8 percent higher than the previous year.

Japan has a well-developed food retail market that demands high-quality, high-value agricultural and food products. Despite reduced economic activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, trade data show that agricultural imports have remained resilient.

In 2022, Hong Kong was the world’s tenth largest spirits importer, with global imports recovering 7 percent year-on-year and valued at $502 million. From 2020-2021, Hong Kong’s imports and domestic sales of spirits were seriously hampered under the COVID-19 pandemic, as most restaurants, pubs, and bars were closed due to stringent dining, social distancing, and travel restrictions.

The European Commission published a draft regulation outlining new rules for the indication and designation of ingredients for wine. The draft regulation also introduces a change to the VI-1 certificate. Stakeholders have until February 23, 2023, to comment.

The Hong Kong wine market has stayed resilient since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The local foodservice business has suffered the most as the operation of restaurants and bars were often curbed to contain the virus. However, wine retail sales injected energy to a sluggish market and enabled the continuation of wine consumption in Hong Kong.

In 2021, Taiwan's whiskey imports reached $553 million, up 19 percent compared to 2020. The United States ranks as the third-largest supplier with a two-percent market share,

Through its phased-in tariff reductions, the agreement will raise challenges for U.S. products including wine and spirits, cotton, pulses and beans, forest products, and tree nuts.