The COPA-Cogeca Working Group on Wine, an entity that defends the interests of Community producers and their cooperatives, expects that EU-27 wine production in the new season 2022/23 will remain more or less stable compared to the previous year, but without reaching the average of the last 5 years (2017-2021).

 

However, this organisation adds, there will be significant disparities within the same country, as a result of drought and high temperatures during the spring and summer months.

The three main producer countries, Italy, France and Spain, are expected to produce altogether about 130.2 million hectolitres, with a slight increase of 1.1% over the 128.7 million produced in the previous 2021/22 marketing year, while observing a slight fall of 2.1% on the average of the previous five years, which reached 132.9 million. In most producing countries there are decreases in yields.

The COPA-Cogeca Working Group on Wine, an entity that defends the interests of Community producers and their cooperatives, expects that EU-27 wine production in the new season 2022/23 will remain more or less stable compared to the previous year, but without reaching the average of the last 5 years (2017-2021). However, this organisation adds, there will be significant disparities within the same country, as a result of drought and high temperatures during the spring and summer months. The three main producer countries, Italy, France and Spain, are expected to produce altogether about 130.2 million hectolitres, with a slight increase of 1.1% over the 128.7 million produced in the previous 2021/22 marketing year, while observing a slight fall of 2.1% on the average of the previous five years, which reached 132.9 million. In most producing countries there are decreases in yields.

In general terms, COPA-Cogeca points out, the harvest of the current season 2022/23 is characterized by the impact of droughts and scorching temperatures, which hit all of Europe, which have led to earlier harvests and lower yields than usual.

In general terms, COPA-Cogeca points out, the harvest of the current season 2022/23 is characterized by the impact of droughts and scorching temperatures, which hit all of Europe, which have led to earlier harvests and lower yields than usual.

On the other hand, the positive part of these adverse weather conditions is that the grapes are in very good phytosanitary condition, which presages the production of wines of excellent quality, according to this organization.

Luca Rigotti, president of the Copa-Cogeca Working Group on Wine, said that “although it is not abundant, the 2022 wine harvest has been “saved”, largely thanks to the efforts of the winegrowers themselves”.

However, added Rigotti, this year remains a “challenge for the entire wine sector, as the increase in transport costs, glass, cardboard, In the case of plant protection products and energy, the already high production costs have increased further and this is further eroding producers’ margins”.

For the president of the COPA-Cogeca GT, “the difficulties brought about by droughts and high temperatures throughout Europe have shown that winegrowers are committed to mitigating the impact of climate change and preserving the environment. Winegrowers and cooperatives are innovating and applying good practices respectful of the environment (such as pruning the branches, the application of efficient irrigation systems and the reduction of phytosanitary treatments) without compromising the quality of our wines”.

COPA-Cogeca indicates that, however, the expected figures are still subject to possible changes, in view of the climatic conditions that will determine the next harvest weeks, especially as regards the productivity of medium-late ripening grape varieties.

Country situation

In Italy, this organisation expects stable production compared to the previous marketing year, despite adverse weather events, especially droughts and high temperatures. The lack of rainfall has facilitated the control of fungal diseases, thus reducing the number of phytosanitary interventions.

In France, after a very low harvest last year, decimated by spring frosts, wine production is forecast to recover. There will be approximately 44 Mhl, with an increase of 16.2% over 2021.

In many regions, the harvest began unusually early, due to high temperatures. Spring frosts, followed by pedrisco storms and heat waves, mainly affected vineyards in the Southwest and Charentes regions. Lack of rainfall and high summer temperatures have reduced expected volumes in several regions, while drought has cut them in others.

In Spain, scorching temperatures and droughts affected vineyards, which also suffered the lack of rain and water (the capacity of the reservoirs has fallen to 36.9% from the average 55.6%).

As in Italy and France, the 2022 harvest was advanced by 2-3 weeks, due to the dry climate, which has contributed to good quality and disease-free grapes.

In Portugal, production is expected to reach 6.7 million hectolitres. The 9% decrease compared to the previous marketing year 2021/22 is due to water scarcity and high temperatures, which affected the ripening of grapes. The grapes show a good phytosanitary state, without records of pests or diseases.

In Hungary, winter and summer droughts, especially during vegetation development, affected yields. Late summer and early autumn rainfall is expected to limit the drop in production to nearly 20%.

In Austria, drought and heat are likely to lead to a slight decrease in production (-2.5%) compared to the previous year of 2021/22 and the average of the last five years.

In Slovenia, wine production is expected to fall by 14% compared to the previous year 2021/22, which was already low due to spring frosts, and by 30% compared to the average of the previous five years. The main reason for the decrease is the drought that affected all the wine regions of the country.

In the Netherlands, the good weather experienced in 2022 has led to fewer diseases and, as a result, wine production in the Netherlands is expected to increase by 10%.

In Greece, continuous heavy rains in Greece are affecting the harvest, which is expected to be lower than originally planned. However, no figures are available because the situation continues to evolve.

The harvest is still in progress in Germany and Luxembourg. As the situation is very heterogeneous, performance data are not yet available, according to COPA-Cogeca.

 

SOURCE: SEVI.NET