Puglia wine industry faces crisis amid overproduction

The wine industry in Puglia is facing a severe crisis characterized by significant overproduction and market instability. Antonio Macchia, president of ALPAA Puglia, has warned that without immediate intervention, the entire agricultural sector in the region could collapse, following a similar prolonged crisis in the olive oil sector.

Currently, more than 4.2 million hectoliters of unsold wine remain in cellars while production continues to rise. This imbalance is attributed to a lack of governance regarding vineyard surfaces, yields, and demand. The uncontrolled expansion of vineyard areas has led to overproduction, which suppresses prices and disproportionately affects small producers.

To address the situation, ALPAA Puglia is preparing an organic proposal focused on two main areas: emergency measures to provide immediate liquidity and mitigate volumes, and structural measures to restore order. Key requirements for stability include an updated wine land registry, accurate vineyard records, and stricter controls against illegal viticulture.