What is Bulk Wine and Why is it a good option for large retailers?
- Lynda
- May 6
- 2 min read
Updated: May 20
🏷️ Cost Efficiency
Shipping Savings:
Bulk wine is shipped in large containers (like 24,000-liter flexitanks), which fit in standard shipping containers. This maximizes space and reduces per-liter transport costs by up to 40–50% compared to shipping bottled wine.
Flexitanks also reduce handling costs at ports and in warehouses.
Packaging Cost Reduction:
Bottles, corks, labels, and boxes account for a significant portion of wine production cost—often 30–40% of the total.
Bottling at destination allows chains to use locally sourced packaging, which is often cheaper and reduces import duties or taxes related to glass.
Lower Tariffs and Taxes:
Some countries have lower import duties on bulk wine vs. bottled wine, offering another financial advantage.
Economies of Scale:
Large shop chains can negotiate bulk purchase discounts, and by centralizing bottling, they can further streamline operations and reduce labor costs.
Reduced Waste:
By bottling on-demand, retailers can avoid overstocking or dead inventory of pre-packaged wines that may not sell.
🌱 Sustainability
Reduced Carbon Footprint:
Transporting wine in bulk cuts emissions significantly. For example, shipping a liter of wine in a flexitank emits up to 40% less CO₂ than shipping the same wine in bottles.
Bottles are heavy and take up more space, leading to more containers, more fuel, and more emissions.
Less Packaging Waste:
Fewer glass bottles, corks, and labels are used in international transport.
Shop chains can opt for eco-friendly packaging (e.g., lightweight bottles, Tetra Paks, bag-in-box) at the bottling stage, reducing landfill impact.
Local Bottling = Local Jobs:
Bottling in the destination country supports local employment and reduces reliance on long-distance logistics, aligning with some corporate social responsibility goals.
Better Shelf-Life Management:
Bulk wine is often more stable in transport, and bottling closer to the point of sale can extend shelf life, reducing spoilage and waste.
Bulk wine, when done right, aligns well with modern retail priorities: cost control, supply chain efficiency, and environmental responsibility.
