The European wine sector remains optimistic and reckons that with the right support measures and a fair trade policy, it will be able to access new markets and offer innovative products, such as more environmentally friendly grape varieties or wines with lower alcohol content.
This was the conclusion of a wine workshop organised on Wednesday, 6 November, in Brussels by the European Confederation of Independent Winegrowers (CEVI) and EU agricultural organisations and cooperatives (Copa-Cogeca).
Over the last 20 years, the sector’s trade surplus has increased by 275% with a net profit of around €8 billion in 2018. Quality has significantly improved: 64% of wine produced has a geographical indication.
Nevertheless, European winegrowers have two main concerns: the effects of climate change and the deterioration of their economic situation due to the global economic downturn and falling profit margins. “In recent years, numerous efforts have been made to strengthen standards with regard to sustainability”, explains Copa-Cogeca.
During the workshop, it was noted that: - over the past three years, the economic conditions of wine producers have deteriorated in some productive regions, although wine is still the leading agri-food export. Prices are low, and producers’ margins are constantly shrinking; - the transition to more sustainable production comes with costs that should not be borne solely by producers. “Consumers and retailers also have a role to play, and public policies should facilitate this transition through investments and by mitigating market imbalances.”
For Copa-Cogeca Wine Working Party Chairman Thierry Coste, the EU must “[keep] on supporting the sector with a strong CAP budget [...]. The CAP’s legislative framework should ensure support and provide synergies with other funds so that our winegrowers can find new solutions and adapt to the changes.” (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)