Wine industry faces global decline and harvest uncertainty

During a panhellenic meeting of wine cooperatives belonging to KEOSOE on September 2, 2026, representatives highlighted a downward trend in the global and European wine sectors. Data indicates a 4.5% decrease in global vineyard areas since 2019 and a 14.75% drop in consumption over the same period.

Summer heatwaves have negatively impacted vineyard yields in major EU producers, including France, Spain, and Italy, making 2026 harvest forecasts uncertain. In France, organizations are already requesting relief from loan, tax, and insurance obligations to ensure growers continue cultivation.

In Greece, while the harvest has begun in island regions and for early white varieties, the market faces contradictions. The summer season saw sluggish wine consumption, attributed to reduced disposable income caused by widespread inflation. Additionally, strict driving safety enforcement has limited wine consumption in dining establishments, which continue to charge high prices for both bottled and carafe wines.