EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
ONTARIO WINE SALES TOP 5 FACTS
The following facts are based on the latest Scorecard (Q4 2019/20) provided to the industry by the LCBO and are based on the 12 months ending March 31, 2020.
These numbers do not capture the impacts of COVID-19 on our industry, particularly on Winery Retail Stores and Licensee sales.
FACT 1
Ontario wine sales rose by 3.8% in terms of value and by 2.2% in terms of volume. Dollar sales in Winery Retail Stores was up 5.5%. By volume there were decreases in LCBO Vintages and Direct Delivery.
FACT 2
VQA represents 25% of Ontario wine sales by volume and 40% by value. Ontario value priced wines were 75% and 60% respectively.
FACT 3
By sales channel the LCBO accounted for 54% of all Ontario wine sales. On-site and off-site Winery Retail Stores represented another 38%, licensee/restaurant sales 8% and farmers markets less than 1% of Ontario wine sales.
FACT 4
Sales to Licensees (restaurants) represented around $75 million for Ontario wineries. This was down 1.2%.
FACT 5
VQA sales through the LCBO represented over $169M (up 4.5%) and sales at Winery Retail Stores were just over $146M (down 2.9%).
For the first period 2020-21:
- VQA sales at the LCBO were down 1.4%. Comparable imports were up 2%.
- Ontario value priced wine sales at the LCBO were up 4.1%
- Ontario wine sales at grocery stores was up 50%. Import sales at grocery were up 11%.