The European wine export engine continues to lose momentum in 2025, with both Italy and France reporting declines in volume and value.
While Italy’s October 2025 figures showed exports down 2.7% in value to EUR 6.5 billion and 1.4% in volume to 1.76 billion liters compared to the same period in 2024, France’s trajectory confirms that the slowdown is not country-specific but structural.
According to FranceAgriMer, French wine exports in the first ten months of 2025 declined by 1% in volume to 10.68 million hectoliters, while value fell more sharply by 3% to EUR 9.35 billion. These results closely mirror Italy’s performance, reinforcing the idea that Europe’s two leading wine exporters are navigating the same challenging environment.
One of the defining features of 2025 has been market volatility driven by geopolitical and trade policy uncertainty. In the United States, precautionary stock-building ahead of anticipated tariffs boosted shipments in January and February. However, once tariffs were implemented in early April, exports to the US fell sharply and remained weak through September. The American market, historically a growth engine for premium European wines, has therefore become a drag on overall export performance.
Beyond the US, Asian markets continue to underperform. China, once a cornerstone of export strategies for both France and Italy, remains in steep decline. French wine exports to China fell by 36% compared to 2024, continuing a downward trend that began in 2017. Economic instability, weak consumer confidence, and the prolonged real estate crisis have significantly reduced wine demand. Re-export hubs such as Hong Kong and Singapore have also been penalized, further amplifying the downturn.
In contrast, some medium-sized European markets are showing signs of recovery in volume, although this has not always translated into higher value. The average export price of French wine stood at EUR 8.75 per liter, down from the previous cumulative total, confirming renewed pressure on pricing. Value erosion, rather than volume alone, is increasingly shaping export outcomes.
Despite the broader slowdown, category performance is uneven. Bottled wines and sparkling wines both recorded volume growth of around 5% year-on-year. Champagne, after several difficult seasons, has begun to recover in volume (+2%), although its market share has declined significantly compared to 2023. At the same time, average Champagne prices dropped sharply by 7% to EUR 11.6 per liter, signaling a correction after years of premium inflation.
Overall, the 2025 export landscape highlights a rebalancing phase for European wine. The combination of weaker demand in key markets, tariff disruptions, and declining prices suggests that the sector is entering a period of consolidation rather than growth.
Source: WineNews