How a Japanese Wine Merchant Expanded Global Wine Sourcing Through One Fine Wine Trading Platform

How a Japanese Wine Merchant Expanded Global Wine Sourcing Through One Fine Wine Trading Platform Facing rising prices and limited supply, a Japanese wine wholesaler used Liv-ex to access global suppliers, streamline sourcing, and buy with greater confidence. A Japanese fine wine wholesaler sources fine wines from suppliers across Europe and the United States, distributing them to retailers throughout Japan. As demand grew, securing sufficient inventory through existing supplier relationships became increasingly challenging. Rising fine wine prices added further pressure, making it harder to source stock competitively while protecting margins. To support continued growth, the business needed access to a broader fine wine market, enabling it to source competitively priced stock from a global network of suppliers while maintaining confidence in the provenance, condition and authenticity of every purchase. Accessing a Global Network of Suppliers The Liv-ex Exchange, a global wine trading platform, gives the business access to a global network of 500+ wine businesses through a single point of contact. Using Liv-ex, the team can: - Discover new sourcing opportunities beyond existing suppliers - Compare wine pricing easily across global markets and quickly identify stock that meets target margins - Buy and sell efficiently through one trusted intermediary Rather than relying solely on a limited network of regular suppliers, the business can access a broader fine wine market, uncover new opportunities, and source stock more efficiently. Liv-ex manages the trade, settlement, and logistics from end to end, reducing the operational complexity often associated with international trading. Buying with Greater Confidence When sourcing wine internationally, having confidence in the condition and quality of the stock is essential. Robust wine authentication checks carried out by Liv-ex’s team of experts, together with detailed condition information – including pre-sale condition-check images – give greater transparency when evaluating opportunities. The team also values the reliability of wines traded under Liv-ex’s Standard in Bond (SIB) contract, which sets clear requirements around condition and packaging. As a result, buyers can purchase from a wider range of international suppliers with confidence that wines will arrive in the expected condition. The Result Improved profitability Greater visibility of market opportunities allows the business to purchase more strategically and better protect margins. Increased access to inventory Easy access to a large, global network of suppliers has expanded sourcing options and improved stock availability. Greater efficiency Pricing information, wine market data and live bids and offers are available in one place, making it easier to evaluate and compare opportunities. Liv-ex’s analysis tools help the team assess opportunities against market prices, recent trades and their own pricing, quickly identifying opportunities that meet target margins. Access to real-time wine industry data reduces the time and effort required to make purchasing decision. Although the site is packed with a vast number of listings, once you get the hang of filtering out the wines you're looking for, there's no other platform where you can find products at such competitive prices so efficiently. More confident buying Access to reliable condition information gives the team confidence when buying wine from overseas, allowing it to broaden its sourcing strategy without compromising on quality standards. I'm very satisfied not only with the platform's business efficiency, but also with the high level of reliability regarding the condition of the wines themselves, which allows me to purchase with confidence. Learn how another Asian Liv-ex member streamlined ABV verification to speed up deliveries and save valuable time here. Copyright © 2026 Liv-ex Ltd. All rights reserved.