KEY POINTS:
Australian wine exports have topped A$3 billion ($3.4 billion) in a year for the first time.
The Australian Wine and Brandy Corporation says the record result for the year ended July represented an eight per cent growth of wine exports.
Volume of Australian wine exported in the 12-month period exceeded 800 million litres for the first time, 10 per cent more than the previous corresponding year.
"It is a very pleasing result for the sector not just because of the record figures but also because of the way we achieved them," corporation chairman John Moore said in a statement.
"The shift in product mix, the increased sales of quality wine and strong showings in key markets will help lay the foundation for further sustainable growth."
The corporation's information and analysis manager Lawrie Stanford said the export figure, to be released later today, "only just" reached A$3 billion.
Australia reached annual export sales of A$1 billion in 1999 and A$2 billion in 2002.
The corporation said the US accounted for 30 per cent of total value growth and the UK remained the largest market.
* By comparison, New Zealand wine exports are valued at $600 million annually.
- AAP
