Beverage manufacturer: Sparkling wine cellar Henkell Freixenet fears US tariffs

The Henkell Freixenet sparkling wine cellar is faced with challenges such as US tariffs, climate change and consequences of wars. “We expect a demanding market environment for 2025. The continuing geopolitical tensions, the associated economic fluctuations and uncertainties continue to shape the consumer climate,” said the chairman of the management, Andreas Brokemper.

The German-Spanish company based in Wiesbaden and in Catalonia is considered the global market leader for sparkling wine in sales and sales. According to its own information, the proceeds grew by 1.5 percent to 1.248 billion euros compared to the previous year. Including sparkling wine and brandy tax, it was an increase of 1.0 percent to 1.493 billion euros.

In its profit, the company traditionally covers KG as a champagne, wine and spirits division of the Oetker siblings- but they have again been written black.

Threat with tariffs of 200 percent

Brokemper looks “tense” on the fluctuating customs policy of US President Donald Trump. At the moment it is ten percent for sparkling wines – but Trump has already threatened the EU with tariffs of 200 percent. “That would be like a prohibition,” said the manager with a view to the alcohol ban in the USA 100 years ago.

According to Henkell Freixenet, Henkell Freixenet says the production of the Cava sparkling wine in the Spanish northeast: “The negative effects of the drought in recent years in the Penedès region significantly impaired business development.” According to Brokemper, the grape harvest there was fatal in 2023 and only a little better in 2024 – the prices for Cava should therefore have been significantly increased. It is too early for this year’s forecasts.

Climate change also opens up new possibilities with the shift in viticulture to the north: “In southern England we bought the Bolney Wine Estate winery in 2022 at Brighton. We also produce sparkling wine on a small area.”

Trend towards non -alcoholic drinks

The proportion of non -alcoholic beverages on the overall market is still low. At Henkell Freixenet, however, they are a growth driver – mainly because of the health awareness and consumer behavior of young generations. Henkell Freixenet follow a “mirror strategy” with non -alcoholic variants of its well -known brands. Light blue neck loops – strips of paper – to signal the bottle neck here zero alcohol content.

Sales without sparkling wine and brandy tax last year at Henkell Freixenet grew easily in Western Europe compared to 2023 and more in Eastern Europe and in North and South America. They declined somewhat in Germany, Austria and Switzerland as well as in Asia. The number of employees fell by 2.4 percent to 3,535.