France’s 2025 wine output forecast at historic lows
The French agriculture ministry raised its forecast for this year’s wine production to 36.2 million hectolitres; This is unchanged from last year’s historically low production, as a summer heatwave and drought reduced harvest volumes.
The projected harvest is 16 percent below the five-year average, marking the second consecutive year that yields have fallen significantly.
“Harvest is over and the impact of the August heatwave on grape volumes is clear,” the ministry said in a report.
It was stated that extreme heat and constant drought in August accelerated grape ripening and caused the fruits to dry, which led to earlier harvest and lower yields throughout the country.
France is the world’s second largest producer of wine after Italy and the leading exporter by value. While wine production has been adversely affected by adverse weather conditions in the last two years, surplus management policies have caused wine producers to uproot some of their vineyards.
Champagne production is expected to increase by 14 percent annually to 2.1 million hectolitres, but this figure remains 10 percent below the five-year average. The ministry stated that grape quality was good, but volumes were lower for some grape varieties.
One hectoliter is equivalent to 100 liters or 133 standard bottles of wine. In Bordeaux, production is expected to remain slightly below last year, but 17 percent below average, due to the uprooting of 8,000 hectares of vineyards and the lingering effects of the heat wave.
Charentes, a major cognac-producing region, is also facing a small decline in production, but dry and hot weather is hurting yields, with the harvest 23 percent below the five-year average.
The ministry said production in the largest producing region, Languedoc-Roussillon, had fallen severely due to drought, fires and the dismantling of 10,000 hectares since last year. Production is expected to decrease by 8 percent by 2024; Currently there has been an average decrease of 18 percent.
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