Amaia Barredo in Düsseldorf: "The Basque wine sector strengthens its international presence at the "ProWein 2025" fair"

• "The Basque Country defends its commercial position in Europe in the face of the tariff scenario proposed by Trump"
• The regional minister shares with the participating companies in North Rhine-Westphalia the Basque Government's commitment to promoting Basque wines in strategic markets.
• 40 Basque wineries at the 31st edition of the world's most important beverage fair.
• Euskadi Basque Country – Basque Wine stand
• Last year, Germany was the fourth largest destination for Basque wine exports in value, with €12.9 million, and fifth in volume, with 1.8 million liters sold.

 Düsseldorf, March 16, 2025

The Basque Government's Minister of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture, and Fisheries, Mrs Amaia Barredo, highlighted the importance of the ProWein trade fair "as a promotional platform for Basque wines," stating that "internationalization is key to the growth and positioning of the Basque wine sector."

"ProWein," Amaia Barredo emphasized, "represents a unique opportunity to show the world the uniqueness and excellence of our wines. From the Basque Government, we strongly support our wineries in this process, boosting their visibility in strategic markets and facilitating their access to new marketing channels."

The ProWein 2025 trade fair opened its doors today, Sunday, in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, consolidating its position as the largest international showcase for the wine sector. In its 31st edition, the Basque Country is once again present with a strong representation of 40 companies from Rioja Alavesa, Txakolís, and spirits and liqueurs. Twenty-three of them showcase the diversity and quality of Basque wines grouped under the Euskadi Basque Country – Basque Wine brand.

Minister Amaia Barredo, accompanied by Raimundo Ruiz de Escudero, director of HAZI Fundazioa, attended the leading German fair, as the participation of Basque wineries is part of the sector's internationalization strategy promoted by the Basque Government, with the aim of strengthening the presence of Basque wines in strategic markets and generating new commercial opportunities.

ProWein is an essential meeting point for the global wine industry. Last year, it featured more than 6,000 exhibitors and was attended by 45,000 professionals from 141 countries. With an exhibition area of ​​over 68,000 m², the fair reaffirms its position as a benchmark for distributors, importers, and professionals in the hospitality and gastronomy sector.

Basque participation in ProWein 2025 reinforces this commitment, allowing Basque companies to establish contacts with buyers and distributors from around the world and continue to position Basque wines as benchmarks of quality and tradition.

Euskadi Wine Exports

During 2024, the Basque Country exported some type of wine product to 111 international markets. Last year, Germany was the fourth-largest destination for Basque wine exports in value, with €12.9 million, and fifth in volume, with 1.8 million liters sold.

Basque wines with PDOs saw significant increases in exports to Mexico, the Netherlands, Japan, and China, which recorded increases of 6.7% in value and 10% in volume. The United Kingdom and the United States remain the main destinations for Basque exports, as in previous years.

The driving force behind Basque wine exports is PDO packaging, accounting for 84% of the value and 61.5% of the total volume. Following the global trend of recent years, white wine has grown more than red and rosé wines, as consumers demand fresher, easier-drinking, and lower-alcohol wines.

Institutional Commitment to International Promotion

With the aim of helping Basque wineries continue to consolidate their presence in key international markets such as ProWein, the Basque Government's Department of Food, Rural Development, Agriculture, and Fisheries is allocating several aid programs to Basque beverage companies, such as Sectoral Interventions in the Wine Sector, included within the Basque CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027. These programs are aimed at promoting and communicating wine products in third countries, as well as investing in wine infrastructure and marketing structures. This last program has recently been made available for applying prior to the publication of the corresponding call for proposals, so as not to disrupt the implementation plans of promoters who already have investment projects related to supporting the wine sector for 2026.

Furthermore, Basque beverage companies can benefit from the Lehiatu Promoción program, also for supporting the food sector.