France becomes the largest wine producer in Europe, Portugal grows 8.6%

This year's European wine harvest decreased slightly compared to 2022 to just over 150 million hectoliters. When compared to the average of the last five years, the drop recorded is 5.5%. The estimates were revealed by the Copa-Cogeca association. In this scenario, of the main producers, only France and Portugal saw their harvest grow, with the first growing by 1.47% and the second by 8.6%. France thus overtook Italy, becoming the largest producer. Italy recorded a drop of 11.92%, Spain of 14.42% and Germany of 2.1%. The consequences of climate change, such as a dry winter, hailstorms, floods and a rainy spring, led to declines in production in Austria (-6%), Greece (-23%), Croatia (-31%) and Slovakia (-20%), compared to 2022. In France, estimated production was 45 million hectoliters. The country was affected by mildew and droughts, mainly in the South, but the crisis measures implemented, such as aid for distillation and green harvesting, allowed for a positive balance. In ...