AGI – Italy lost its position as the largest wine producer this year in the world, overtaken by France which returns to the top of the rankings for the first time in 9 years. This is according to the latest estimates from the International Organization of Vine and Wine, which indicate that the World production went down to lowest level since 1961: This is a negative record for over 60 years and is because the vineyards are affected extreme climate eventsThey limited production.
Specifically, at a global level, this reached 244.1 million hectoliters, a decrease of 7% compared to the previous year. However, in Italy it fell more significantly, by 12%, to the lowest level since 2017. Things were even worse for Spain, which was affected by the drought and, despite a decrease of 14% compared to 2022, reached its lowest level in 20 years , but has maintained its position as the third largest wine producer. (AGI)
The sharp decline in Italian and Spanish production would lead to a 7% drop in production in the European Union this year, which would reach 150 million hectoliters, the third lowest production level since the beginning of the century. Wine production in the United States, the world’s fourth largest producer, is expected to reach 25.2 million hectoliters this year, up 12% compared to 2022.
In its initial projections, the organization estimated global wine production excluding juices and musts at 241.7 to 246.6 million hectoliters (one hectoliter is equivalent to 133 standard bottles of wine). The figure is comparable to that of 1961, when production fell to 214 million hectoliters.
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