Uruguayan wine export hits record high in 2008

MONTEVIDEO, Jan. 7 (Chinese media) -- Uruguay's wine export reached a record 13.4

million liters in 2008, a 36-percent growth from that in 2007, local press

reported Wednesday.

"It is a very good news for the sector," Ricardo Calvo, president of the

National Institute of Viticulture (Inavi), was quoted by daily newspaper El

Paison as saying.

Uruguay's viticultural sector sold products worth 10.4 million U.S. dollars

in 2008, up 12 percent in comparison with that in 2007.

However, a 33-percent drop in grape harvest is predicted for 2009 as a

consequence of frost and drought in the southern part of the country.

Calvo said if this climate condition continues, it will benefit the

production of quality wine next year.