07.05.2024

Climate change is responsible for the worst wine harvest in 62 years

Global wine production to record historic decline in 2023 and climate change may be to blame, reveals new report cited by Euronews.

The International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) says production of the beverage has reached its lowest level since 1962. This intergovernmental organization has 50 member states representing 75 percent of the world's vineyard area.

Experts blame "extreme environmental conditions", including droughts and fires, for the downward trend in production.

While climate change is not entirely to blame, the OIV says these conditions are the biggest challenge facing the industry. Grapevines are often grown in areas of the world that are heavily affected by climate change.

“These conditions have led to a sharp decline affecting major wine-producing regions in the northern and southern hemispheres. The situation is even worse than the initial estimates made in November," the organization said.

In the EU, wine production fell by 10 percent in 2023 – the second lowest volume of wine recorded since the turn of the century.

In some countries, the rainy spring caused blight, floods, damage and losses in vineyards. Others, particularly those in southern Europe, suffered from severe ongoing drought.

Where in Europe are wine producers suffering the most?

Italy is one of the wine producing countries that suffered the most with a 23 percent drop in productivity. Heavy rains causing mold in the central and southern regions, along with damage from floods and hail, resulted in the smallest production volume since 1950.

Production has declined due to climate conditions in other European wine-producing countries as well. Germany saw a drop of 3,8%, Hungary – 2,1% and Austria – 6,5%.

Spain also suffered a notable decline, reaching its lowest output since 1995 – down more than 20% from 2022 and 25,7% below the five-year average.

Parts of the country have faced severe water shortages for the past few years, with Catalonia declaring a state of emergency earlier this year due to drought.

Experts have warned that regular droughts could become the "new normal" in the Mediterranean by mid-century if immediate action is not taken on climate change.

The drop in production comes alongside news that wine consumption is at its lowest level since 1996 due to price increases from inflation and a sharp drop in wine drinking in China due to an economic slowdown.