“A FALL IN CONSUMPTION OF WINE AND AMOUNT OF VINEYARDS IN EUROPE”, BUT EXPORTS ARE STILL GOING STRONG ACCORDING TO FEDERICO CASTELLUCCI, THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF VINE AND WINE (OIV)

“A FALL IN CONSUMPTION OF WINE AND AMOUNT OF VINEYARDS IN EUROPE”, BUT EXPORTS ARE STILL GOING STRONG ACCORDING TO FEDERICO CASTELLUCCI, THE GENERAL DIRECTOR OF THE INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION OF VINE AND WINE (OIV)
In a recent publication on the economic situation of wine, the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) revealed that Italy is the number one exporter of wine in the world with a quota of 21% (in volume) of the market, ahead of both France and Spain (who both hold 17%), thus continuing to maintain its lead, which has grown by 8.4% for a total of 91 million hectoliters sold.

“International exports” – noted Federico Castellucci in a recent conference – “have reached 38% of total world consumption, and they are continuing to grow. In 2002, the percentage was 29%, and 33.5% in 2005. Meanwhile, in Italy, France, Spain, and Portugal, wine consumption fell to 1.5 million hectoliters in 2007, a decrease that was only partially compensated by Britain and Germany. Outside of Europe, wine consumption increased, above all, in the U.S., Romania, China, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa.

Castellucci, whose second term as leader of OIV will be reconfirmed in June, also offered his own advice: “If I could give advice to Europeans it would be that of aiming towards exportation, concentrating on exports because consumption seems to be oriented towards remaining stationary or even decreasing”. For Italy, Castellucci emphasized that its export success is very closely linked to its image. And for other regions around the world, OIV noted that the most dynamic area for wine is Oceania, which has passed from 1% to 10% of total exports worldwide.

Among the other important factors to take note of, there has been a further reduction in vineyards in Europe: in 2007 the amount was 36,000 hectares, while new vineyards planted in the rest of the world remained stable at 27,000 hectares. Brazil became a more important player in 2007, with a 30% increase in wine production, while China has remained at a more stable level of growth.

”The evolution of consumption is not as tumultuous as one might think.” – continued Castellucci, who also noted that even production levels are slowing - “It is probably reflecting the fact that it could be better to import than to plant vineyards”.