French winemakers forecast 30-year low harvest after severe drought and heat
French winemakers are forecasting their lowest harvest in 30 years due to extreme heatwaves and severe drought. The agriculture ministry reports that these weather conditions have caused significant damage to grape crops across the country.
Why it matters
The decline in production highlights the growing impact of climate change on global agriculture and the stability of the wine industry.
The extreme heat of the summer weather in France has caused grapes to wilt and be scalded. The extreme heat of the summer weather in France has caused grapes to wilt and be scalded. France French winemakers forecast 30-year low harvest after severe drought and heat Estimates suggest drop in production with vineyards also concerned ‘smoke taint’ from wildfires may affect quality
Prefer the Guardian on Google French vineyards hit by severe drought and heatwaves are expected to report a 30-year low in wine production after the country’s hottest ever recorded summer, according to the agriculture ministry.
Initial estimates suggest winemakers will produce just under 34m hectolitres from this year’s harvest: a drop of 6% on last year, and 17% less than the 2021-2025 average.
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