Wine consumption in the European Union (EU) in 2024 was notably lower than the previous years, reflecting a decline of 5.2% compared to the five-year average. According to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) in its annual report, the decline in consumption in the EU was part of a broader trend, as the global wine market also faced reduced demand.
The OIV’s State of the World Vine and Wine Sector in 2024 report, released on April 15, revealed that the EU’s wine market accounted for 103.6 million hectolitres (mhl), representing 48% of global consumption. This figure marked a decrease of 2.8% compared to 2023 and was also 5.2% lower than the five-year average.
This overall decline in consumption is attributed to a reduction in demand in major traditional wine-consuming countries. Within the EU, France, Italy, and Germany remain the largest wine markets. France continues to lead as the top wine-consuming country in Europe, with an estimated consumption of 23.0 mhl in 2024. However, this reflects a 3.6% drop from the previous year and a 4.9% decrease from the five-year average.
Italy, the second-largest market in the EU and third globally, held steady with a consumption of 22.3 mhl in 2024, representing a slight increase of 0.1% from 2023 but a 3.6% decline compared to the five-year average. Germany, the third-largest EU market, saw a more significant drop, with consumption falling by 3.0% to an estimated 17.8 mhl in 2024.
On a global scale, wine consumption is expected to reach 214.2 million hectolitres in 2024, a decrease of 3.3% from 2023’s already low levels. The OIV attributed this decline to a combination of weakening demand in key markets and high average prices, which were driven by reduced production volumes and ongoing inflationary pressures.
In addition to consumption challenges, the EU’s vinified production in 2024 is estimated to reach 138.3 mhl, reflecting a decrease of 3.5% from the previous year. This drop represents the lowest production volume in the EU since the early 2000s, even lower than the figures seen in 2017.
The OIV report highlighted the significant role of climate change in these declines, with vineyards across the EU facing various climatic disruptions. Some regions endured severe drought and hydric stress, while others were hit by extreme rainfall and storms. These weather extremes increased disease pressures, caused vineyard damage, and created challenging conditions for grape cultivation. Despite these setbacks, some regions experienced more favorable weather, resulting in average harvests.
As a result of these ongoing challenges, both climatic and economic, global wine production in 2024 is expected to reach 225.8 million hectolitres, the lowest level seen in over six decades. This marks a 4.8% drop from the previous year, further underscoring the ongoing difficulties faced by the global wine sector.
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