SPEAKING FROM THE OIV’S HEADQUARTERS IN PARIS, BY WEB CONFERENCE, DIRECTOR GENERAL PAU ROCA, PRESENTED ON 27 OCTOBER, THE FIRST ESTIMATES OF 2020 WORLD WINE PRODUCTION

After the exceptionally high production of 2018, for the second consecutive year, the world wine production volume is expected to be below average.

• Lower than average production volume in the EU, where measures to reduce the harvest volume had a significant impact in Italy, France and Spain notwithstanding the overall favourable climatic conditions.

* First harvest forecasts in the US indicate volumes in line with 2019, but uncertainty caused by wildfires might lead to further revisions.

• Drop of South America’s wine production, especially in Argentina and Chile due to unfavourable weather conditions.

• South Africa finally back to “normality” after several years of drought.

• Australia records a low harvest due to bushfires while New Zealandshows a record harvest volume in 2020.

World production

Based on information collected on 30 countries, which represent 84% of the world production in 2019, 2020 world wine production (excluding juices and musts) is estimated between 253.9 and 262.2 mhl, with a mid‑range estimate at 258 mhl.

The 2020 production seems in line with the previous year: +1% compared to 2019. After the exceptionally high production of 2018, first estimates on 2020 show for the second consecutive year a production volume that can be defined as below average. This is not necessarily to be considered as bad news for the wine sector given the current context where geopolitical tensions, climate change and covid-19 pandemic are generating a high degree of volatility and uncertainty in the global wine market.