WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF WINE CONSUMPTION IN ITALY? A SLOW DOWN. IN 2020 THE DECLINE WILL BE LESS 6.1% COMPARED TO 2012, 21.2 MILLION HECTOLITERS AND 34 LITERS PER CAPITA. IN 25 YEARS CONSUMPTION HAS DECREASED 62%, SAYS WINE MONITOR-NOMISMA

What is the future of wine consumption in Italy? It is slowing down. In 2020, the decline in consumption will reach 6.1% compared to 2012, 21.2 million hectoliters and about 34 liters per capita. The decline continues and has seen consumption drop 62% in 25 years, reveals the Wine Monitor and Italian research institute, Nomisma study.

A quarter of a century ago, says the research institute, Italy was the second largest consumer of wine in the world, following France, with more than 36.6 million hectoliters. Currently, Italy, at 22.6 million hectoliters has given up its second place to the United States (29 million hectoliters) and is hounded by Germany (20 million) and China (17.8 million), which is expected to overtake both Italy and Germany within 5 years.
In 2012, the study reveals that sales of wine on large-scale organized distribution has fallen in volume 3.6% compared to 2011; and the first quarter of 2013 shows a further decline of 7.5% over the same period in 2012. In Nomisma’s opinion, within the next few years, due to general aging of the Italian population, greater attention to health and lower consumption of alcohol, the increase of immigrants and in particular those ethnic groups that for religious reasons do not consume wine, by 2020 the decline in wine consumption in Italy will equal 6.1% less than in 2012, for 21.2 million hectoliters and about 34 liters per capita.
Therefore, continues the research institute, for production conditions and imports (considering the average over the last three years) to maintain the necessary balance on the market, an additional effort needs to be put in export volumes (+6.3%) or, alternatively, a reduction of production equal to 3%, which, from a structural point of view, is equivalent to explanting approximately 18.600 hectares or close to 11.140 vineyards.