|
|
France ahead of Italy and Spain: this is the ranking of the most competitive wine nations in the world. The ranking of economic and productive performance was compiled by the French agency France AgriMer, which reports to the Ministry of Agriculture. The report entitled "Competitive factors in the global wine market" analyses 13 countries based on six performance indicators: production potential, climatic and energy factors, the ability of producers to position themselves, portfolio attractiveness, trade flows, investments and macroeconomic context.
According to France AgriMer, the high product value of the wines, brand awareness and visibility speak in favour of France. On the other hand, production costs have risen sharply. AgriMer's negative assessment is that the high proportion of organic viticulture (21 per cent) could have a negative impact on value creation
Second-placed Italy has renewed itself in the middle and upper trade segments and has earned a good reputation as a diverse and recognised wine country. However, the availability of water in the future may pose a challenge, as only 30 per cent of vineyards have irrigation systems.
The situation is similar in Spain, where drought is a bigger problem than vine disease. "Spain could do more if it utilised water resources better," the report states. The commercial success of Spanish wines is less strong than that of France and Italy, despite competitive prices.
Behind these three countries is the USA, which has overtaken Australia again. US wineries are competitive domestically, but less attractive internationally due to high production costs. Australia is suffering from China's high tariffs on wine. Despite a huge supply of wine, Germany only has "average appeal" internationally. Export prices are competitive, although production costs are among the highest of the 13 countries analysed by France AgriMer. Chile benefits from the many free trade agreements concluded thanks to good vintages and an 86 per cent irrigated wine-growing area. Portugal, in eighth place, produces small quantities but positions them in a broad market differentiation. It is followed by South Africa and New Zealand. At the bottom of the ranking are Brazil and China.
(al / Source: France AgriMer)