Wine Cork Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis, By Material (Wood, Metal, Rubber, and Glass), By Type (Synthetic and Natural), By Distribution Channel (Offline Stores and Online Stores/E-commerce), and Regional Forecast, 2024 – 2032

Wine corks are usually cylindrical stoppers used to seal wine bottles and preserve the beverage's quality by preventing oxidation while allowing minimal oxygen entry for optimal aging. In addition, these are generally made either from natural materials from cork oak trees or synthetic materials injected into molds.

The increasing wine consumption globally increases the demand for wine, thus propelling market growth. The growing wine and wellness trend, owing to the growing health-conscious lifestyles and rising awareness about the health benefits of wine consumption, drives the demand for wine globally. Various key industry players are focusing on mergers and acquisitions to expand their reach and diversify their portfolios. For instance, in January 2022, Corticeira Amorim S.G.P.S., a Portugal-based cork manufacturer, acquired SACI, an Italy-based wirehoods and cork company, for USD 53.09 million (Euro 49 million).

The increasing number of wineries and vineyards globally propels the demand for wine corks. Moreover,  wine corks, mainly wooden corks, have a long-standing association with wine culture and history, especially in traditional wine-producing countries such as France, Italy, and Spain. Many wine enthusiasts and producers prefer wooden cork closures for their perceived authenticity and connection to wine heritage, thus fuelling market growth. Several prominent market players are launching new products to diversify their portfolios and boost sales. For instance,

In September 2021, Diam Bouchage, a subsidiary of Oeneo Group, a France-based winemaking and wine-corking products company, launched its new Mytik Diam 10 cork for sparkling wines with a much lower oxygen initial release (OIR).

Fluctuations in raw material prices, such as wood, plastic resins, metals, and glass, impact the cost of wine cork manufacturing. The price fluctuations negatively impact product pricing and the company's profitability, reducing product demand from budget-conscious consumers.

Segmentation

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Overview of the overall wine cork industry.


• Supply Chain Analysis


• Industry SWOT Analysis


• Porter's Five Forces Analysis


• Recent Technological Advancements

Analysis by Material

Based on material, the global wine cork market is segmented into wood, plastic, metal, and others. The wood segment is anticipated to dominate the market owing to providing excellent oxygen permeability, which is essential for the aging process of certain wines.

The rubber segment is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period owing to the increasing availability of various materials offering natural looks. For instance, in June 2021, Avient, a U.S.-based polymer materials company, launched its new special-effect masterbatch package. According to the company, the masterbatch allows the production of natural-looking wine corks made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

Analysis by Type

Based on type, the global market is bifurcated into natural and synthetic. The natural segment held a major market share in 2023 owing to increasing consumer awareness and preference for natural, & sustainable products and a rising number of environmentally conscious consumers globally. Furthermore, Natural corks are often associated with premium wines and a long-standing tradition of winemaking, thus fueling the segment's growth.

The synthetic segment is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period. Synthetic corks are made from synthetic materials designed to mimic the properties of natural corks and offer consistent quality & performance, eliminating variations found in natural corks. These corks do not suffer from cork taint, which is usually caused by TCA contamination, which can spoil the wine, thus driving the segment's growth.

Analysis by Distribution Channel

Based on distribution channel, the global wine cork market is divided into offline stores and online stores/e-commerce. The offline stores segment held a major market share in 2023 owing to the rising availability of products offering wide options. Furthermore, consumers can physically check and inspect the cork's quality before purchasing.

The online stores/e-commerce segment is expected to grow significantly throughout the forecast period owing to the rising number of brand websites and e-commerce platforms. Furthermore, online stores often offer exclusive and specialty corks that are not available across offline stores, thus driving the segment's growth.

Regional Analysis

The global market is geographically segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and Middle East & Africa. Europe is anticipated to lead the global wine cork market during the forecast period due to the presence of prominent players, rising disposable incomes, and increasing wine consumption. Furthermore, Italy, Spain, and France are the top three wine producers globally, thus driving the product demand across the region. According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, a France-based intergovernmental organization, Italy, Spain, and France accounted for over 51% of the world's wine production in 2022.

North America is expected to grow at a significant rate throughout the forecast period owing to the growing number of wineries coupled with rising wine consumption in the U.S. and Canada. Moreover, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine, a France-based intergovernmental organization, the U.S. is the fourth largest wine-producing country, thus fueling the market growth across the region.

Key Players Covered

The report includes the profiles of key players, such as Jelinek Cork Group, Corticeira Amorim S.G.P.S., Oneo, WidgetCo, Inc., Cork Supply, Advance Cork International, Vinocor, DE MARIA TAPS, M. A. Silva, Vinventions and Rankin Brothers & Sons.

Key Industry Developments

• June 2023: Vinventions, a Belgium-based wine closure products company, partnered with Jet Technologies, an Australia-based packaging solutions company, to launch its new biodegradable natural wine cork, SUBR F7, in the New Zealand and Australian markets. According to the company, the new cork is glue-free and TCA taint-free.


• November 2022:  Diam Bouchage, a subsidiary of Oeneo Group, a France-based winemaking and wine corking products company, launched new permeability options in Diam 10 and Diam 30 corks designed for still-wines.