Italy will retain its global leadership in wine production in 2019 despite a 16% decline in production, the latest report from the Wine Observatory indicates.
According to calculations carried out at the end of August, Italy's wine production will drop to 46 million hl in 2019 from 55 million hl in 2018.
However, it is unlikely that France and Spain, with a projected output of 43.4 million hl and 40 million hl respectively, will surpass Italy this year, the report said.
Harvests
Figures from the Wine Observatory also reveal that this year’s harvest will be lower compared with 2018 in all regions in the country, except Tuscany.
The decline has been attributed to less favourable climatic conditions compared with 2018.
According to the president of the Italian Wine Union (UIV), Ernesto Abbona, the quality of Italian wine will range between 'good’ and 'excellent', with variations between municipalities and even vineyards.
Exports
Italian wine exports in the first five months of the year increased by 11% to 8.6 million hl, with a 5.5% growth in value to €2.5 billion, according to data from ISMEA and Istat.
If the positive trend continues, Italy could end 2019 with wine exports close to 22 million hl for a turnover of around €6.5 billion.
Exports to EU countries increased by 14% in volume and 6% in value, while exports to other countries grew 6% in volume and 5% in value.
© 2019 European Supermarket Magazine – your source for the latest retail news. Article by Branislav Pekic. Click subscribe to sign up to ESM: The European Supermarket Magazine.
