Spain expanded its share of Puerto Rico’s wine market in 2025, as imports rebounded after several years of decline. (Credit: Boarding1now | Dreamstime.com)
Puerto Rico’s wine imports rebounded in 2025 after several years of stagnation and decline, rising in both volume and value despite global trends pointing to weaker wine consumption, according to an analysis by Viajes & Vinos.
The island imported 8.84 million liters of wine valued at $83.2 million in 2025, up 3.8% in volume and 9.5% in value from 2024, the analysis found.
The report, based on data from the Puerto Rico Planning Board, the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in Puerto Rico and several Spanish wine appellations, said the increase marked a reversal from the island’s recent downward trend.
Viajes & Vinos said the stronger growth in value than in volume could not be attributed to a single factor. Possible explanations include importers increasing purchases ahead of U.S. tariffs, an aging population that has maintained its affinity for wine, higher prices and the surge in visitors linked to Bad Bunny’s concert residency.
The analysis cautioned that import figures should not be equated with sales, since inventory turnover can vary significantly.
Numerous importers
Another factor shaping the market is the rapid growth in the number of wine importers. Puerto Rico now has more than 50 wine-importing companies, ranging from specialized firms to long-established distributors. That amounts to roughly one importer for every 64,000 residents, a concentration the report described as notably higher than in other regional markets.
The report said the growth in importers is one of the factors most likely to affect wine import volume, though it remains unclear whether that pace can be sustained over the medium and long term without affecting product turnover and sales.
Spain emerged as Puerto Rico’s leading wine supplier in 2025, surpassing the United States in both volume and value after steadily gaining market share over several years.
Spanish wine exports to Puerto Rico reached 2.6 million liters, up 8% from 2024 and the highest volume Spain has reached in Puerto Rico in recent decades, according to the analysis. The value of those exports rose 18.9% to $28.4 million.
Spain accounted for 29.37% of imported wine volume and 34.08% of import value, or roughly one-third of Puerto Rico’s imported wine market.
Rías Baixas remained the leading Spanish wine appellation in Puerto Rico, exporting 547,105 liters in 2025 and accounting for 21.07% of Spanish wine volume on the island. Ribera del Duero followed with 437,968 liters and a 16.87% share.
Spanish sparkling wines also outpaced sparkling wine imports from France and Italy by volume. The report said white wines from Spain surpassed red wines in export volume, mirroring broader international trends favoring white wine.
The U.S. mainland posted only marginal growth in both volume and value, causing its market share to decline as the overall market expanded. Puerto Rico imported 2.5 million liters of wine from the United States in 2025, valued at $22.7 million, growth of less than 1% from the previous year.
Italy continued to gain ground, recording a third consecutive year of growth. Italian wine imports reached 1.09 million liters valued at $8.3 million, up 9.2% in volume and 9.6% in value from 2024.
Argentina posted one of the strongest performances among major exporters, increasing shipments by 22.8% in volume and 22.5% in value. France shipped fewer liters but generated higher revenue because of a higher average price per liter, while Chile recorded lower volume but higher import value.
Despite increased interest in wines from countries such as Greece, New Zealand, Hungary and Uruguay, the report found that Puerto Rico remains a highly concentrated wine market. Spain, the United States, Italy, France, Chile and Argentina accounted for 97.57% of imported wine volume and 98.27% of import value.
The concentration suggests that consumers continue to favor established wine-producing regions, even as importers diversify their portfolios.
The analysis also noted that wines reported as imports from the United States may include wines from other countries that enter Puerto Rico through mainland U.S. importers. It also cautioned that some Spanish appellation figures include only wines exported directly from wineries to Puerto Rico, meaning some totals may understate the actual presence of those wines in the market.
Editor’s note: The Spanish version of this page was generated using machine translation and may contain errors. For the most accurate information, please consult the original English version.
This content was produced by News is my Business staff members. Send questions, comments, and suggestions to [email protected].
Dining and Cooking