Puglia wine sector faces 5 million‑hectolitre surplus as demand stalls

The Puglia wine region produced a record 8.4 million hectolitres in 2025, a 9.7 % increase over the previous year and accounting for about 19 % of Italy’s total output. At the same time, 5 million hectolitres of wine – including more than 3 million hectolitres of IGP and DOP reds – remain unsold, representing roughly 11.1 % of the national stock. Per‑capita consumption fell to 37.8 litres and export volumes dropped 2 % (value down 3.7 % to €7.78 billion), pressuring prices and profitability for producers.

Industry leaders attribute the imbalance to post‑COVID cost increases, repeated phytosanitary damage from extreme weather, and a shift in consumer preferences toward low‑alcohol, white and rosé wines driven by health concerns and climate change. Giannicola D’Amico, vice‑president of CIA Puglia, said the crisis “started after COVID and has been aggravated this year by higher production costs and changing consumer tastes.” Teodosio D’Apolito, a regional enologist, noted that “consumption per capita is falling and people are moving to lighter‑alcohol wines.” CIA Puglia has proposed measures such as ICQRF‑monitored stock controls, crisis‑distillation for specific wines, liquidity support, an updated vineyard registry, voluntary vine removal incentives and varietal conversion programmes to stabilise the sector.