Italian wine sector grapples with record stock and falling exports

Italy’s wine inventories have risen to over 53 million hectoliters, the highest level since 2022, marking a 7.3% increase compared with the same month in 2025. The surge comes as domestic consumption fell 2% in the first five months of 2026 and export volumes dropped 4% with an 8.3% fall in value in Q1. Exports to the United States are especially weak, down 17% year‑to‑date and 15.4% in value for the first four months.

To clear the excess stock, many producers are declassifying wines to lower price categories – from DOCG to DOC, DOC to IGT or to generic ‘vino comune’. Prices of bulk wine have fallen 6% for DOP, 7% for IGP and 14.4% for common wines, with average bulk rates now about €0.54 per litre. The UIV estimates the de‑classifications have cut the sector’s potential value by roughly €516 million, about 11% of total worth.

Industry leaders, including UIV president Lamberto Frescobaldi, call for “impolitic but necessary” measures such as a two‑year halt on new vineyard approvals, reduced yields for DOP and IGP wines, tighter traceability and stronger promotion. The Piedmont region, however, posted a modest 0.5% rise in wine exports in Q1, the only Italian region to grow, and has earmarked more than €100 million for sector support, including €80 million for farm investment, €10 million for tourism diversification and €18 million for promotional activities.