After heatwaves, French wine production reaches a 30-year low

The Ministry of Agriculture said on Monday that French wine production is expected to be among the lowest in the past 30 years. With output in the Champagne area expected to be halved beginning in 2025 as vineyard acreage shrinks and severe heatwaves and drought harm vines and grapes.

The second-largest producer in the world after Italy projects an output of 33.9 million hectoliters. In its first production estimate for the year, which is 17% less than the average for 2021–2025 and 6% less than last year.

100 liters or 133 ordinary wine bottles are equal to one hectoliter.

After low output levels in 2024 and 2025, this would be France’s third straight bad wine harvest.

Although spring conditions initially pointed to a better harvest, drought and heatwaves during the Northern Hemisphere summer damaged the vines and reduced yields, the ministry reported.

Production in Champagne is forecast to be 49% lower than in 2025 and 47% below the five-year average.

The Burgundy-Beaujolais harvest is expected to drop by a third. While the harvests in the Loire Valley and Charentes are projected to fall by 12% and 6%, respectively.

The area under cultivation shrank by 2.5% this year. Faced with falling wine consumption, an oversupply has led winegrowers to uproot some of their vineyards in recent years.

Beyond the wine sector, the majority of French agricultural producers have been severely affected by the record-breaking heatwaves of this Northern Hemisphere summer. Which have devastated crops, pastures, and water resources.

France announced an emergency aid package for farmers worth more than €1 billion.