Cava registers a new all-time sales record

Overall sales grew by 1.09% to 252 million bottles

• Of particular note is the 24.59% increase in organic Cavas

Cava closed last year with a new all-time record figure of 252 million bottles. Overall, sales grew by 1.09%, with a 4.02% increase in the domestic market and a slight decrease in foreign markets (0.25%).

The domestic market propelled Cava sales in 2023 to a new record high of almost 252 million bottles (2.7 million more than the previous year); in total, sales grew by 1.09%. Sales in the domestic market increased by 4.02%, and fell very slightly in foreign markets (0.25%), weighed down by inflation in the main European markets and also by the drop in sales in the United States.

The president of the D.O. Cava Regulatory Council, Javier Pagés, highlighted the strength of Cava. He stated that

"Despite the economic and geopolitical turbulence, our products continue to recover ground in the domestic market and consolidate their positions ,while our main global competitors have experienced a significant decline".

At the same time, Javier Pagés pointed out the sector’s efforts in its commitment to organic production. He is also optimistic about the near future, despite the severe effects of the persistent drought, as long as "we are able to work together and create wealth throughout the sector's value chain".

The president of the Cava Regulatory Council also wanted to highlight the positioning of Cava as the sparkling wine that grew the most in Spain during 2023, both in volume (3.9%, representing 87.7% of the total) and in value (10.6%, reaching 78.8% of the total). "The increase in quality sparkling wines in Spain reflects the fact that the appreciation of consumers is constantly growing, and they are looking for higher quality Cavas," said Javier Pagés.

Germany firmly led the export ranking for Cava last year, with a growth of 4.14% (31.1 million bottles were imported into this market). The United States remains in second place with 21.6 million bottles, despite a slight drop in sales of 13.48%. The third-best market was Belgium, where sales grew by 5.44% and reached 22 million bottles. In a post-Brexit United Kingdom, Cava sold 16.8 million bottles last year, and experienced a growth of 5.38%. The figures obtained in the Brazilian market in 2023 have been spectacular: with a sales increase of 75.82%, although only 1.9 million bottles of Cava were sold in this emerging market.

One category that has particularly stood out is that of organic Cavas. The success of the D.O. Cava’s commitment to ecology, sustainability, and products with higher added value and long ageing periods, shows evidence of unprecedented growth. This Cava category stands apart from the others, due to the new regulations that set the year 2025 for the entire category of Guarda Superior to become 100% organic. While sales of conventionally grown products fell by 1.65%, organic Cavas grew by 24.59%. Already the number of organically-certified bottles sold stands at 32.3 million.

Among the notable trends in 2023, rosé Cavas managed to move up the rankings, growing by 3.31% and reaching 23.5 million bottles sold. Last year Cavas de Guarda Superior with the new minimum ageing regulation of 18 months for Cavas de Guarda Superior Reserva (previously 15 months), were launched on the market, with an organic vocation in specific vineyards. Javier Pagés affirms that "the new segmentation of Cava has given a boost to the sector", and he also highlighted the growing number of Integral Producer Cavas.

D.O. Cava: commitment to origin, land and sustainability

With more than 70% of international sales, Cava is the Spanish D.O. with the highest exports. The Cava industry has over 38,000 hectares of vineyards and more than 6,200 winegrowers, and its 349 associated wineries are present in more than 100 countries. Cava, which pairs harmoniously with every type of gastronomy, is made using the traditional method, with a strict commitment to origin, land and sustainability.