In 2023, global wine production is estimated at 237 Mhl, a significant decline of almost 25 Mhl (-9. 6%) through 2022. It also marks a sharp decline from more recent years, when production levels over the past four years were constant. with the average of 20 years.
“This sharp decline can be attributed to a confluence of adverse climatic phenomena, coupled with early frosts, heavy rains and droughts, together with fungal diseases,” the OIV said when publishing the data for 2023. “These points have severely affected harvest volumes across the country’s major wine regions in the northern and southern hemispheres.
EU wine production in 2023 is estimated at 144. 5 Mhl, representing a sharp decline of 10. 6% (17 Mhl) through 2022.
This places it in the second position with the lowest production volumes recorded since the beginning of the century, the 2017 production of 141 million hl.
Within the EU, the scenario is varied, reflecting the diversity of climatic situations encountered in the main wine regions in the 2023 development season.
France, the world’s leading wine producer in 2023, reached an estimated volume of 48 Mhl. This figure is not only 4. 4% higher than in 2022, but also 8. 3% higher than the country’s five-year average.
Spain also experienced a notable decline, reaching its lowest production since 1995, with an estimated production of 28. 3 Mhl, 20. 8% less than in 2022 and 25. 7% less than the average of the last five years. This slowdown is basically due to a severe drought. and excessive temperatures that affected the vineyards during the development season.
Production 2023
Change from 2022
Percentage of world production
France
48 million hectolitres
4,4%
20,2%
Italy
38. 3 Million liters
-23,2%
16,1%
Spain
28. 3 Million liters
-20,8%
11,9%
WE
24. 3 Million liters
8,5%
10,2%
Chile
11 million hectolitres
-11,4%
4,6%
Australia
9. 6 Million liters
-26,2%
4,1%
South Africa
9. 3 Million liters
-ten%
3,9%
Declines in other EU countries were also attributed to climate issues: such as Germany (8. 6 million hL, -3. 8%/2022), Hungary (2. 4 million hL, -2. 1%/2022) and Austria (2. 4 million hL, -6. 5%/2022). In Greece (1. 4 Mhl, -34. 4%/2022), the harvest was poor due to heavy spring rains that led to mold, followed by high temperatures and droughts in summer that hit the vines hard.
However, Portugal (7. 5 Mhl, 9. 8%/2022) and Romania (4. 6 Mhl, 21. 2%/2022) recorded gigantic production volumes with strong expansion compared to last year.
In Asia, Chinese wine amounted to 3. 2 million hl, down 33% from last year.
In the United States, wine production is estimated at 24. 3 Mhl, up 8. 5% from 2022, but in line with its five-year average. This mammoth production was aided by cool temperatures and heavy winter rains in the Napa and Sonoma regions.
In 2023, the world’s wine dominance amounts to 7. 2 million hectares, a slight cut of 0. 5% through 2022.
This decline marks the third consecutive year of reduction in warehouse space around the world.
After two significant production volumes in 2021 and 2022, the Southern Hemisphere saw a notable drop in its wine production in 2023, totaling 47 Mhl, a decline of 15. 4% to 2022 and a decline of 13. 2% from the average of the last five years.
This is the lowest production point since 2003, attributed to extreme climatic conditions in wine regions.
In 2023, Chile will be the largest producer in South America, with an estimated wine production of 11. 0 million hl, 11. 4% less than 2022 production due to forest fires, droughts and floods.
Wine production in Argentina fell to 8. 8 Mhl (-23. 0%/2022), mainly due to spring frosts and hailstorms. This is the lowest volume recorded since 1957.
Brazil, however, had a strong year with a volume of 3. 6 million liters, only 12. 1% more than last year, but also 31. 4% more than its average of the last five years.
South Africa’s wine production in 2023 is estimated at 9. 3 million hl, a low of 10. 0%. Fungal diseases, along with powdery mildew and downy mildew, had a strong impact on the harvest.
Australia faced significant production relief, down to 9. 6 Mhl, down 26. 2% from 2022. This decline was mainly attributed to adverse weather conditions, coupled with persistent rainfall, unusually cold temperatures and flooding, exacerbated by the effects of La Niña. led to reduced returns.
By contrast, New Zealand’s production of 3. 6 million hl saw a positive expansion compared to its five-year average, despite a 5. 8% decline compared to 2022, indicating resilience in difficult conditions.
Climate change may simply lead to radical changes in where wine is produced: deteriorating vineyards in some regions and opening up new opportunities in others.
California, for example, may have some spaces that are too hot and arid for wine, but Washington and Oregon may be new wine regions.
Read more here about how to map out how the global distribution of vineyards is most likely to change.