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As the International Organization for Vine and Wine (OIV) announced on Tuesday, only an estimated 244.1 million hectoliters will be collected this year. This would be seven percent less than in 2022. At the same time, it would be the lowest level since 1961.
“This negative scenario can be attributed to significant declines in the major wine-producing countries of both hemispheres,” the OIV explained. In the southern hemisphere, Australia, Argentina, Chile, South Africa and Brazil recorded year-on-year declines of 10 to 30 percent. The harvest was also lower in Italy, Spain and Greece – mostly due to “poor climatic conditions during the growing season”, as the OIV explained. “Only in the USA and some EU countries such as Germany, Portugal and Romania did favorable climatic conditions prevail, which led to average or above-average quantities,” the OIV said.
It assumes that Italian wine production will fall by twelve percent to 44 million hectoliters, the lowest level since the poor harvest year of 2017. This would mean that Italy would lose its top position as the world’s largest wine producer. France would also be back in first place for the first time in nine years. Drought-hit Spain this year retained its position as the third-largest wine producer, although its production is expected to fall to its lowest level in 20 years.
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