Extreme weather threatens global wine production

Extreme weather threatens global wine production

The year 2023 brought one of the toughest challenges for global wine production, caused by extreme weather phenomena. In Italy in particular, the situation was alarming, with wine production plummeting by 23 percent. Australia also saw a 26 percent decline due to droughts, fires and other climate-related issues. Spain, Chile and South Africa were also affected, while France surprisingly saw an increase.

Despite optimistic forecasts, Germany experienced a slight decline of 3.8 percent in wine production. This refuted the OIV's previous estimates in November. Nevertheless, Germany maintained its position among the top ten wine-producing countries. Total global wine production fell from 262.6 million hectoliters in 2022 to 237.3 million hectoliters in the reporting year. This highlights the massive impact of extreme weather conditions on the industry.

John Bark, the general director of the OIV, highlighted that the climate crisis is the biggest threat to the wine industry. Grapevines are particularly vulnerable to climatic changes, which requires strategic adjustments in cultivation. The three percent decline in global wine consumption is partly due to rising inflation and a slowing market in China. These developments represent additional challenges for the industry.