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That’s according to the annual report International Organization of Viticulture and Winemaking (OIV). According to the organization’s estimates, the consumption volume decreased by 2.7% compared to last year – to 208 million hectoliters. Compared to 2018, the market lost about 14%.
The decline affected most major markets. Wine consumption fell by 5.2% in Spain, 2.4% in the UK, 3.6% in Switzerland, 2.6% in Argentina and 3% in Canada. Some of the sharpest drops were recorded in the Netherlands (-12.7%) and China (-13%).
In the United States – the largest wine market in the world – consumption, according to OIV forecasts, will decrease by 4.3% to 31.9 million hectoliters. In Russia, the indicator decreased by 5.5%, to 8 million hectoliters.
At the same time, a number of countries showed growth. In Romania consumption increased by 11%, in Austria – by 6%, in Portugal – by 5.6%, in Japan – by 6.8%. The most notable growth is expected in Brazil – by almost 42%.
The OIV attributes the decline in global demand to several factors at once: high inflation, falling purchasing power, rising wine prices and changing consumer habits. Separately, the organization notes a decline in interest in alcohol among young people.
Against the backdrop of falling demand, vineyards continue to shrink. According to OIV, over the past 25 years, about 10% of the world’s vineyard area has disappeared. In 2025 alone, the global area will shrink by another 0.8% to 7 million hectares.
Vineyards are shrinking the most in Europe. In the European Union the reduction amounted to 1.6%, in France – 4.4%.
The largest producer by vineyard area remains Spain – 915 thousand hectares. France (740 thousand hectares), China (733 thousand hectares) and Italy (726 thousand hectares) follow.
