Well-known regions like Burgundy and Champagne have seen one of their smallest wine yields in recent years.
The expected harvests for Burgundy and Beaujolais are projected to decrease by 35% compared to the previous year, while Champagne’s yield is anticipated to decline by roughly 33% in relation to 2023.
Last month, the agriculture ministry’s Agreste statistics predicted a total harvest of 39.3 million hectolitres for 2024, which would mark one of the weakest yields in the last hundred years.
However, this estimate has now been revised down by an additional 4.6%, bringing the forecast to only 37.5 million hl, attributed to harsh weather conditions throughout the growing season.
This represents a 22% decrease compared to the crop from the previous year, and it is also 15% lower than the five-year average.
‘This reduction is attributed to adverse weather conditions that affected all wine-producing regions,’ Agreste mentioned in their monthly update.
Agreste pointed out that every region will experience downturns, with the most significant impacts felt in Beaujolais, Burgundy, and Champagne.
Many vines bloomed during cool and humid weather, resulting in issues like coulure and millerandage.
Severe weather conditions, including heavy rains, frost, mildew, and hail, have created challenges across France. This prompted an early harvest in the Loire Valley and other areas to mitigate further damage.
While a smaller harvest may seem problematic, it’s not catastrophic for France, which is currently confronting a mounting oversupply issue.
In 2023, global wine production exceeded demand by 10%, as reported by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). This excess has led to declining prices, putting the livelihoods of French wine producers at risk.
The French government has introduced a €120m initiative aimed at removing about 30,000 hectares of vineyards to address the situation.
In July, Champagne producers requested a 12% reduction in this year’s grape harvest following a 15% drop in sales during the first half of 2024.
Yet, numerous individual growers are facing significant financial losses, which is a considerable setback in these tough times.
In the Languedoc-Roussillon area, the harvest is nearing its completion, with predictions indicating a 13% decline compared to last year due to drought conditions in certain regions and mildew affecting others.
The Alsace harvest is also projected to decrease by 13% because of mildew issues and interrupted flowering, while the Loire Valley anticipates a 30% reduction in yield.
In Bordeaux, the forecast indicates a 14% decline in production compared to the previous year, mainly due to hail, mildew, and problems with coulure.
However, the region of Jura will experience the most significant impact, with frost and mildew predicted to cut the harvest by a staggering 75% relative to last year. To make matters worse, thieves have targeted the area.