French wine production expected to hit 70-year low after heatwaves
The French agriculture ministry forecasts a 6% drop in wine output from 2025, with production under 34 million hectolitres. The decline is attributed to drought and summer heatwaves, as well as shrinking vineyard areas. France has announced over €1 billion in emergency support for farmers.
The ministry's September 1 estimate places output at 33.9 million hectolitres, a 17% shortfall against the recent five-year average. This follows a 2025 vintage that was already the weakest since 1957, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine.
Regional disparities are stark. Champagne faces a halving of production relative to both last year and its five-year norm. Conversely, Languedoc-Roussillon anticipates a 5% recovery from 2025's poor crop, though it remains below recent averages. The €1 billion emergency aid package has been criticized by farming groups as insufficient.
The sharp decline could strain the livelihoods of vintners, particularly in Champagne, while pushing up prices for consumers. It may also accelerate the industry's shift toward climate-resilient grape varieties and new growing regions, as traditional areas become less viable. The government's aid package may offer temporary relief, but long-term structural adaptation will likely be necessary to sustain France's global standing.