France 2024 wine production down 22% due to bad weather

Production of the world’s largest wine producer is likely to be 37.5 million hectoliters this year, which is also 15 percent below the five-year average, according to an Agriculture Ministry report citing estimates at October 1.

“This decrease is due to unfavorable weather conditions that affected all wine-growing areas,” the report said. All types of wine are likely to experience a decrease in production, especially those from Burgundy, Beaujolais and Champagne and wines intended for brandy production.

Wine production hit a 60-year low last year, but the global glut has persisted, indicating that demand is falling faster. The chaotic conditions of climate change are also affecting producers. France has helped some growers to uproot the vines for good.

Bad weather also affected other crops in France, the European Union’s largest agricultural producer. The soft wheat harvest fell to its lowest level in 40 years. Last month marked the wettest September in 25 years, according to Météo-France.