Champagne sets 2026 harvest yield at 8,800 kg/ha to cut excess stock

The Comité Champagne approved a commercial yield of 8,800 kg per hectare for the 2026 vintage, a reduction of about 2 % from the 2025 level. The decision, agreed by Champagne houses and growers, is intended to gradually empty the region’s large wine inventories and help improve the sector’s cash flow. The committee aims to bring annual sales back to around 300 million bottles.

Payments for the commercialized volume will be made in four interest‑free installments on 5 December 2026, 5 March, 5 June and 5 September 2027, with reserve grapes paid in three equal tranches. New flexibility measures allow growers to purchase up to 15 % of their own reserve (up from 5 %) and let deliverers reduce contractual commitments to increase handling capacity.

To boost sales, the sector will organise a Champagne Week in Paris from 19–26 October and a Champagne Rendez‑vous in Reims on 5 June 2027, featuring tastings and promotional activities.