Wine industries in Chile and Argentina adapt to shifting consumer trends

Wine producers in Chile and Argentina are adapting to shifting consumer habits and declining consumption through new product categories and regulatory changes.

In Chile, the Ministry of Agriculture has issued a decree to allow the production of low-alcohol wines with a minimum content of 8.5%. This move aims to align the country’s massive wine export industry with global trends toward lighter products. The decree is currently under review by the state audit authority. Traditional wines will continue to require a minimum alcohol level of 11.5%.

In Argentina, the Cooperativa Vitivinícola Algarrobo Bonito Ltda. is evaluating alternatives to combat a significant drop in domestic consumption, which has fallen from 33 liters per capita to approximately 15 liters. While the cooperative has experimented with non-alcoholic wines, these products have not yet met commercial expectations. The cooperative is also observing market shifts toward larger bottle formats in the mass consumer segment.