ViniPortugal President Jorge Monteiro has said Portugal exported €23 million (US$27.12 million) worth of wine to China last year.

Mr Monteiro told Macao broadcaster TDM Radio that the importance of China as a market for Portuguese wine was increasing.

He said Portugal exported €17 million worth of wine to Mainland China last year, €2.5 million worth to Hong Kong and €4.5 million worth to Macao.

He said each of the Chinese markets was different from the others and required a different approach.

ViniPortugal has made the Macao market a focus of its efforts this year, teaching people there about the business of selling wine and holding events where Portuguese wines are matched with Portuguese food.