ales around the world fell 1.5% to 304 million bottles in 2013, according to data released by the Champagne Growers' Association.A decline in sales in France and the wider European market outweighed the gains in overseas markets.
Sales in the EU as a whole fell 3.4% to 74 million bottles, and in France sales dropped 2.3% to 167 million. Exports to overseas markets rose 3.2% to 63 million bottles.
However, it could have been a lot worse for the industry, as higher than expected Christmas and New Year champagne sales halved analysts expectations of a 3% drop for 2013.
A record 339 million bottles were sold in 2007 before the global economic and financial crises began weighing on the market.
"The month of December, which accounts for nearly 15% of annual sales, partially offset the decline in sales observed previously. It totals about 42 million bottles, or 8% more than in December 2012," the Comite Interprofessionel des Vins de Champagne said in a statement.
The champagne market is dominated by luxury group LVMH , Moet & Chandon and Veuve Clicquot on top of Dom Perignon, Ruinart and Krug brands, Lanson BCC and Laurent Perrier.
Other champagne-makers also include Vranken and drinks group Pernod Ricard's Mumm and Perrier-Jouet brands.
