A new report shows where wine production in Europe has fallen the most.
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World wine production reached all-time low in 2023 And climate change could be to blame, a new report reveals.
The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) states that the drink reached its lowest level since 1962. This intergovernmental organization has 50 member states, representing the 75 percent of the world’s wine-growing area.
Experts blame “extreme environmental conditions,” including droughts and fires, that have fueled the downward trend of the production.
How does climate affect wine production?
Although the climate change is not the only culprit, according to the OIV, these conditions are the biggest challenge that the industry faces. Grapevines are frequently grown in areas around the world that are greatly affected by and incredibly vulnerable to climate change.
These conditions have caused a sharp decline, which has affected the main wine-producing regions of the northern and southern hemispheres. It is even pworse than initial estimates held in November, the organization said this week.
How much has wine production decreased in Europe?
In the EU, wine production decreased 10 percent in 2023the second volume of came lowest recorded since the beginning of the century.
In some countries, a wet spring caused mold, flooding, and damage and losses to vineyards. Others, especially those in southern Europe, suffered from continued severe drought.
Where in Europe are wine producers suffering the most?
Italy was one of the wine-producing countries that suffered the most, with a 23 percent drop in productivity. Heavy rain, which caused mold in the central and southern regions, together with damage caused by flooding and hail, caused the lower production volume since 1950.
Production also decreased due to weather conditions in other European wine-producing countries. Germany recorded a drop of 3.8 percent, Hungary of 2.1% and Austria of 6.5%.
What is the situation of the wine sector in Spain?
Spain also experienced a notable drop, reaching its lowest production since 1995: more than 20 percent less than in 2022 and 25.7 percent less than the average of the last five years.
Some parts of the country have suffered serious ongoing water shortages in recent years, and earlier this year a drought emergency in Catalonia.
Experts have warned that regular droughts could become the ‘new normal’ across the Mediterranean by mid-century if we do not act immediately against climate change.
The drop in production is accompanied by the news that wine consumption is at its lowest level since 1996 due to the increase in prices caused by inflation and the sharp drop in wine consumption in China due to the economic slowdown.
