World wine production increased by 2.2 per cent compared with the previous year, reaching 274.4 million hectolitres in 2015, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
The global wine trade grew by 1.8 per cent in volume to 104.3 million hectolitres, and by 10.6 per cent in value, to €28.3 billion.
With annual growth of 12 per cent, Italy is the biggest producer in the world, producing 49.5 million hectolitres, followed by France and Spain. The US recorded a high level of production for the third year running, finishing the year with 22.1 million hectolitres.
However, production declined in Argentina, South Africa and China. It increased marginally in Chile and remained stable in Australia.
Global wine consumption has stabilised since the 2008 economic crisis. It was estimated at 240 million hectolitres for 2015, an increase of 0.9 million on 2014.
The US remained the biggest global consumer, while consumption grew in China and remained stable in Italy and in Spain, but, surprisingly, fell in France.
© 2016 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. To subscribe to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine, click here.
