A total of 218m bottles of sparkling wine from the D.O. Cava were sold in 2024 (-13.39% compared to the previous year). In Spain itself, bottle sales (78m bottles) decreased by 3.5% compared to the previous year, and internationally by as much as 18%, according to a statement from the Consejo Regulador de la D.O. Cava. This trend had already become apparent in the first nine months of 2024.
The declines are mainly due to the drought of the last three years and the associated availability problems. In particular, the German market recorded a decrease of 19.9m bottles. Market giant Freixenet switched to other regions, and some German discounters also switched from Cava to "Spanish sparkling wine" for their private labels.
Belgium was the most important export market (20.3m bottles, -7.8%), followed by the USA (-4.58%) and Great Britain (-11.66%). Among the ten most important markets, only Japan (+4.66%), the Netherlands (+3.96%), and Sweden (+0.02%) showed slight growth. In Japan, the "Cava Discovery Theatre," a Cava museum in Tokyo, was recently opened.
Value increased
The average revenue per bottle increased significantly in Spain itself (Circana: -3.5% volume, +3.7% revenue) and is also reported to have grown in international markets. The D.O. Cava is focusing "on the diversity and richness of the Cavas de Guarda Superior, which, thanks to the work of the 200 producers, are synonymous with the highest quality," according to the statement.
Also specifically mentioned are the Elaboradores Integrales, wineries that carry out the entire production process on their own property. Their number has grown by 2 in the past year to now 17 wineries. This category currently includes: Alta Alella, Avinyó, Blancher, Bodegas Escudero, Can Sala, Can Suriol, Celler Carles Andreu, Gatell, Giró del Gorner, Juvé & Camps, Kripta, Mastinell (new), Ondarre (new), Parató Vinícola, Parés Baltà, Torné & Bel, and Vins El Cep.
The volumes of organic Cava increased by 15.23%, to a total of 37.3m bottles. The top segment of the Cava quality pyramid, the so-called Cavas de Guarda Superior de Paraje Calificado, also grew, with sales increasing by 13.33% (58.54% in the domestic market).
Particularly noteworthy is the appellation-based approach of the Cavas de Guarda Superior category, which achieved sales of 22.4m bottles. "It brings together a wide range of wineries producing long-aged Cavas, organic Cavas, Cavas de Paraje, and Cavas from Integral Producers—all of which enjoy strong international recognition," says Javier Pagés, President of D.O. Cava.
