|
|
The first harvest forecast by the French Ministry of Agriculture expects between 40 and 43 million hectolitres of wine in 2024. This means around 16 to ten per cent less yield than in 2023 and a drop of ten to three per cent compared to the five-year average. The ministry points to a vintage in which heavy rainfall, disease pressure and climatic uncertainties have already caused "considerable damage".
The forecast published on 1 August by the agricultural statistics authority Agreste reports a difficult vintage in which "many vineyards are affected by coulure and in some cases by stem rot as a result of damp and cool conditions during flowering". Mildew, favoured by the damp conditions at the beginning of the summer, is now also affecting most wine regions and could cause "considerable losses". "The climatic uncertainties are not letting up either, with episodes of frost or hail". However, as the grape harvest is still a long way off, the experts relativise: "The soils, which are well supplied with water, could limit the decline in production."
(uka / Sources: Vitisphere, Agreste)