Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias expects a fourth consecutive year below 37 million hectoliters, as heat waves shrink yields and global production stays near multi-decade lows.
Spanish Agri-food Cooperatives (Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias de España) estimates that this year's national wine and grape must harvest will reach approximately 34 million hectoliters. The organization released the forecast on Thursday, October 1st, after a meeting of its Wine Sector Council, which reviewed the progress of the harvest and the evolution of production in Spain and abroad.
One of the earliest harvests in recent history
The season is shaping up to be one of the earliest in recent memory. Successive heat waves have affected vineyard development and reduced yields, producing smaller, lighter grapes. Despite this, Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias maintains that the grapes harvested so far are of high quality.
Fourth consecutive year below 37 million hectoliters
At 34 million hectoliters, Spain would remain under the 37 million hectoliter mark for the fourth year in a row. In the sector, lower availability typically shapes the commercial planning of wineries and cooperatives, and this year's scenario is compounded by falling supply in other producing countries.
Global production near historic lows
The figures analyzed by the Sector Council put worldwide wine production at roughly 222 million hectoliters. If confirmed, this would be the fourth consecutive year of low output and one of the lowest levels in recent decades. The scale of the adjustment is clear against 2018, when global production reached around 294 million hectoliters.
Labelling rules for exports: a call for harmonization
Beyond the harvest, the Council reviewed the proposed amendment to Regulation (EU) 2019/33 on labelling rules for wine products exported to third countries. Cooperativas Agro-alimentarias is asking for automatic authorization for European wines to adapt to the requirements of the destination market when these differ from those applied within the EU.
The organization wants the current wording, "Member State may permit," changed, arguing that it leaves the exception to each country's discretion. In its view, differing national criteria add red tape for exporters when importing countries demand data or formats different from EU standards.
For cooperatives, a harmonized EU-wide response would:
- Provide greater legal certainty
- Reduce administrative complexity
- Make it easier for wineries and cooperatives to operate in international markets
The labelling debate comes during a smaller harvest, with tighter supply in Spain and other major producers, which raises the importance of smooth access to export markets.
Next step: Wine Sector Conference in Cariñena
The Council also advanced preparations for the Wine Sector Conference of Spanish Agri-food Cooperatives, scheduled for November 4th in Cariñena (Zaragoza). The event will gather cooperatives from several autonomous communities to analyze the harvest, the regulatory and commercial challenges facing the sector, and the outlook for Spanish cooperative wine.
Source: Vinetur