Moravian winemakers face significant harvest losses due to weather

Winemakers in the Czech Republic, particularly in the Moravian region, are facing significant challenges during this year's grape harvest. Extreme weather conditions, including prolonged drought, intense heat exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, and hail in certain areas, have severely impacted crop yields and quality.

Jiří Maděřič, chairman of the Association of Independent Winemakers, reports that overall yields in Moravia are estimated to be 30 to 35 percent below average. However, the impact is uneven; some areas like Mikulov have seen losses of up to 50 percent due to drought, while regions like Velké Pavlovice have suffered up to 60 percent losses due to hail.

Beyond the reduction in volume, the quality of the harvest is affected, with grapes being smaller and containing less juice. Martin Chlad, president of the Wine Union, attributes approximately 95 percent of the total decline to drought. If national yields drop by 40 percent, production damages could reach up to 700 million CZK, excluding lost profits.