PARIS—French Champagne shipments fell by nearly 10% last year, with economic and political uncertainty hitting consumer appetite for sparkling wine in major markets such as France and the United States, according to a producer association. decreased.
Growers in July called for a reduced number of grapes to be harvested this year after grape sales for the first half of 2024 fell by more than 15%.
According to the Comite Champagne (Champagne Committee), shipments for the year totaled 271.4 million bottles, down 9.2% from 2023.
“Champagne is a true barometer of the consumer's state of mind,” Maxime Toubard, president of the Syndicate Générale des Vignerons and co-chairman of the committee, said in a statement late Saturday.
“Given inflation, conflicts around the world, economic uncertainty and political wait-and-see in some of the largest Champagne markets, such as France and the United States, now is not the time to celebrate.”
Shipments in the French market totaled 118.2 million bottles, a 7.2% decrease compared to 2023, but the association attributed this to the economic and political “depression'' prevalent in the country.
President Emmanuel Macron appointed his fourth prime minister in a year, François Bayrou, in December, but his government remains weak and struggling to pass the 2025 budget that led to the ouster of his predecessor, Michel Barnier. still faces a tough battle.
Champagne exports also decreased, with shipments remaining at 153.2 million bottles, a 10.8% decrease compared to 2023.
“It is during these less favorable times that we must prepare for the future, maintain our environmental trajectory and conquer new markets and new consumers,” said David Chatillon, co-chair of the Champagne Committee. said.
The commission announced in July that the Champagne region's 2024 harvest had been hit by bad weather from the start of the year, including frost and rain, leading to an increase in mold attacks in the vineyards.
In contrast to other wine productions, most champagne bottles are made from the previous year's stock and are a mixture of several vintages.
These stocks can be replenished in years of good harvest and compensate for poor harvests.
