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The industry association Comité Champagne has announced initial estimates for the appellation's financial year at the end of 2023. According to the French daily newspaper Le Figaro, between 300 and 305 million bottles of Champagne were sold last year. This is around seven per cent less than in 2022, when more than 325 million bottles were sold.
Inflation and high stock levels are curbing demand at home and abroad. Around 40 per cent of champagne production remains in France. With 123 to 125 million bottles sold there, a decline of around 9.4 per cent is expected compared to the previous year. According to the Comité Champagne, sales in the food retail sector in particular have fallen by 20 per cent. Sales on the international markets look less dramatic with around 175 million bottles and a drop of 6.4 per cent.
As the average bottle price has continued to rise, the association expects sales to remain at the previous year's level of 6.3 billion euros despite the decline in volume. The renowned champagne houses in particular have significantly increased their prices and were thus able to compensate for the decline in sales. The market situation is more difficult for independent winegrowers.
"In 2022, customers bought more than they needed for fear of product shortages. The warehouses were well stocked. That wasn't the case in 2023, retailers were more cautious when placing orders," commented David Chatillon, Vice-President of the Comité Champagne, on the figures.
(ru / Le Figaro, Agrisole)