News from Italy
Global crisis in the wine industry: Italy’s trade increased
Worldwide consumption of wine fell in 2024 to its lowest level in more than 60 years. Italy is the biggest wine exporter and its trade increased because of the popularity of sparkling wines such as prosecco.
World wine consumption on the decline. Global wine sales fall to lowest levels since 1961. The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) announced that global wine consumption will fall to its lowest level in 60 years in 2024. OIV said that 2024 sales fell 3.3% from the previous year to 214.2m hectolitres. The OIV, whose report was based on government figures, said this would be the lowest sales figure since 1961, when sales were 213.6m hectolitres. Consumption and production falls in almost every market Worldwide consumption of wine fell in 2024 to its lowest level in more than 60 years, the main trade body has said, raising concerns about new risks from US tariffs. Production is also at its lowest level in more than 60 years, having fallen 4.8% in 2024 to 225.8m hectolitres.
The OIV said the consumer was now paying about 30% more for a bottle now than in 2019-20 and overall consumption had fallen by 12% since then. The OIV said production had been hit environmental extremes such as above average rainfall in some key regions and droughts in others.
In the World: Decline in the US and China
The United States, the world’s top wine market, saw consumption fall 5.8 percent to 33.3 million hl. Sales in China remain below pre-Covid-19 levels, despite a rebound since the pandemic.In Europe, which accounts for nearly half of worldwide sales, consumption fell 2.8% last year. In France, one of the key global producers, France’s output fell 23% to 36.1m hectolitres, its lowest level since 1957. Spain produced 31m hectolitres, while US wine output fell 17.2% to 21.1m hectolitres, mainly because of extreme heat. 3.6% less wine was consumed last year. Spain and Portugal were among the rare markets where consumption increased.
Italy’s trade increased
Italy was the world’s top producer with 44m hectolitres. Italy is also the biggest wine exporter and its trade increased because of the popularity of sparkling wines such as prosecco.
The OIV’s statistics chief: the wine industry had been hit by a perfect storm
The OIV’s statistics chief, Giorgio Delgrosso, said the wine industry had been hit by a perfect storm as health concerns drive down consumption in many countries and economic factors added to troubles. Delgrosso said that tariffs ordered by US President Donald Trump, even though temporarily suspended, could become “another bomb” for the wine industry.
Nicolas: “less but better quality”
French wine chain Nicolas said the decline in drinking was a sign of a “generational shift”: “People are no longer drinking to celebrate, young people are drinking less than their parents.” However, Nicolas also stressed that consumers are choosing to drink “less but better quality” and are willing to spend more on bottles of wine.