The business of wine
With more than 2.5 billion cases of wine estimated to be sold around the world each year, it's easy to understand why thousands of wine makers big and small are vying for a piece of the market. But do the small producers have much chance of success when the wine sector itself is not growing, consumption is stagnant, and of the 1800 or so wineries in Australia, 95 per cent are owned by the 20 largest companies?
It depends, according to Professor Larry Lockshin, director of UniSA's Wine Marketing Research Group, who spoke to a packed out room of wine industry figures, marketers, academics and humble wine lovers as part of UniSA International Business Week. Speaking on the topic Consolidation in the wine industry – is bigger better?, Prof Lockshin presented a thought-provoking review of the current state of the global wine sector and the consequences of globalisation.
The public seminar was one of 38 events held around the state from August 23 to September 3 as part of IBW, jointly presented by UniSA and Austrade (amongst a total of 13 sponsors including government departments and high profile companies).
This year's event has been pronounced by organisers as the most successful ever, with more than 1500 people attending the seminars on topics including the free trade agreement, innovation in exporting, risk management and tools for managing small business.
IBW project officer John Kerr said UniSA was well represented at IBW, with staff and students presenting nine events, including an export forum at Whyalla and eight seminars at City West campus.
“IBW prides itself in offering quality events to the business and student communities, and this year the program was bigger and better than ever, fitting in with IBW's central theme of assisting companies establish or expand their international trade,“ he said.