Belgium's wine industry faced a severe setback in 2024, as production dropped by 64% compared to the previous year, marking the lowest output since 2017.
The drastic decline, reported by the Federal Public Service (FPS) Economy, was primarily attributed to extreme weather conditions, including late spring frosts and an exceptionally wet season through June.
Severe Weather Takes Its Toll
The sharp drop in production resulted in only 1.226 million litres of wine being produced in Belgium last year. One in five winegrowers experienced near-total harvest losses due to these challenging weather patterns. According to FPS Economy spokesperson Lien Meurisse, "We were spoiled with exceptional yields in 2023 and 2022. If we compare with previous years, the yield in 2024 remains low, but the drop looks less sharp. It's also important to stress that the grapes were of excellent quality."
While the overall production decreased, rosé sparkling wine suffered the most, with a staggering 78% decline. Red wine followed closely with a 76% drop. Faced with lower yields, many winegrowers shifted their focus to core products, particularly white wine, which remains Belgium’s dominant wine category.
Regional Shifts in Production
The 2024 figures also revealed a shift in regional production dominance. Flemish winegrowers produced 672,171 litres, surpassing their Walloon counterparts, who produced 553,576 litres. This marks a reversal from 2023, when Wallonia accounted for 53.5% of Belgium’s wine output compared to Flanders’ 46.5%.
Growth in Vineyards and Winemakers
Despite the severe production decline, Belgium's wine sector continues to expand. The number of registered professional and amateur winegrowers rose to 321 in 2024, up from 290 in 2023 and 259 in 2022. Additionally, vineyard expansion persisted, with a total of 958 hectares under vine in 2024, compared to 891 hectares in 2023 and 801 hectares in 2022.
Outlook for the Future
While the 2024 harvest was severely impacted by unpredictable weather, the resilience of Belgian winemakers and the continued expansion of vineyards suggest a promising future for the industry. If weather conditions stabilize, Belgium's wine sector could recover in the coming years, maintaining its trajectory of growth and quality production.
Source: Belga News Agency