Italy is set to reclaim its position as the world’s largest wine producer by 2024, as France’s vineyards suffer from unfavorable weather conditions, according to data from the agricultural authorities of both countries.
Following a disastrous harvest in 2023, Italy’s production is expected to recover by eight percent, reaching between 41 million and 42 million hectolitres, as reported by the country’s main agricultural association Coldiretti on Wednesday.
The French agriculture ministry had previously estimated a decrease of 18 percent in French production, totaling 39.3 million hectolitres. Coldiretti pointed out that this year’s production in Italy is still below the average of recent years, due to varying weather conditions affecting different regions with heavy rains or droughts.
Since 2007, Italy has been the top wine producer globally, except for the years 2011, 2014, and 2023, when France took the lead, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
Coldiretti stated that Italy is facing challenges with the northern region experiencing “intense rain and hail in spring and early summer”, while the southern parts and Sicily are dealing with drought conditions. Early harvests have been observed in some areas due to heat and lack of rainfall.
In France, the most significant decrease in production is expected in the eastern Jura mountain range, with an estimated 71 percent drop due to frosts and mildew. The largest volume reduction will be in the western Charente region, where production is projected to decrease by 35 percent.
Output is also forecasted to decrease by 30 percent in the Loire Valley and by 25 percent in the Burgundy-Beaujolais area, which suffered severe hailstorms.
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