Global wine production down 10%
All countries in the EU saw a drop in production levels compared to those of last year with the exception of Portugal which was up 10% on 2018 stated the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.
All countries in the EU saw a drop in production levels compared to those of last year with the exception of Portugal which was up 10% on 2018 stated the International Organisation of Vine and Wine at a press conference held in Paris at the end of last month (October).
The OIV, an inter-governmental organisation of a scientific and technical nature, carries out work in the area of vines, wine, wine-based beverages, table grapes, raisins and other vine-based products. It is composed of 47 Member States.
The OIV bases its data from 28 countries which represent 85% of the world’s wine production.
Its initial estimates indicate that South American wine production also decreased compared to 2018, especially in Argentina and Chile.
Australia & New Zealand showed slightly lower production levels than in 2018 too.
OIV states that, “After two consecutive years that can be defined as extremely volatile, 2019 brings wine production back to average levels”.
Unfavourable weather conditions in the EU significantly impacted 2019 wine production leaving it 15% down on last year’s figure for a part of the world that’s responsible for around 60% of global wine production.
According to OIV’s estimate, compared with the exceptionally high volume of production in 2018, Italy and France suffered a drop of 15% and Spain (together, all three account for 80% of EU wine production) saw a 24% drop in production. All three countries have also returned a low five-year average.
The US, accounting for around 12% of Northern Hemispheric production, is likely to be down by around 1% on 2018.
Southern Hemisphere growers, harvesting somewhat earlier in the year, can be more certain of their production harvests.
Responsible for around 20% of global wine production, these offer a similar scenario for 2019, down 10%.
Chile’s production is likely to be down by around 7% while drought has significantly impacted the harvest in South Africa so it’s likely to be the only major producing country that, for the second year in a row, records a lower than average production volume.
Australia is likely to register a slight decline in wine production too, down 3% in volume, while New Zealand is likely to be down 1%.
