News in Brief:
– European winemakers confront worst harvest in 62 years, with a 10% decline in production attributed to climate change-induced extremes.
– France appears resilient, but Italy and Spain were hit hard and global wine consumption is at its lowest since 1996.
European winemakers are grappling with challenges as they face the harshest wine harvest in over six decades. Amidst protests and disruptions, the agriculture sector now confronts a crisis that could significantly impact local farmers.
The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) disclosed that wine harvests across Europe have plummeted, marking a 10% reduction in production within the EU bloc. This decline, the second-lowest this century, surpasses initial forecasts made in November.
Experts attribute this catastrophic downturn to climate change-induced extremes, including droughts, fires, heavy rains leading to flooding, and fungal diseases. These environmental adversities have ravaged major wine-producing regions, exacerbating the already dire situation for farmers.
France stands as a beacon of resilience amidst the gloom, registering a 4% increase in wine production, solidifying its position as the world’s leading wine producer.
Conversely, Italy and Spain, renowned for their wine heritage, have been severely affected, with Italy witnessing a staggering 23% decline in its harvest and Spain losing over a fifth of its production.
The impact extends beyond Europe, with other wine-producing nations like Chile and South Africa experiencing production declines exceeding 10%. Intriguingly, India’s unexpected emergence in the top 10 global grape producers underscores the shifting dynamics of wine cultivation.
As experts warn of recurring droughts becoming the norm in the Mediterranean region by mid-century, the wine industry braces for a protracted battle against climate-induced adversities.
Compounding the crisis, global wine consumption has reached its lowest ebb since 1996. Economic strains in China and escalating living costs globally have dampened purchasing trends, posing further challenges to winemakers.
