Agriculture: Romania's wine production decreased by about 19.8pct in 2024 to 3.7 mhl

   Due to adverse climatic conditions, hail and drought in critical periods, Romania's wine production decreased by approximately 19.8% in 2024 from 2023 to 3.7 million hectolitres (mhl), one of the most significant percentage decreases in the European Union, according to the latest report published by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).However, Romania manages to maintain its position on the world wine map, both through the cultivated area and through its role in domestic consumption. According OIV, Romania is among the top ten countries with the largest vineyard areas. At this indicator, Romania continues to occupy an important place in the global ranking, with a total area cultivated with vines of 187,000 hectares (of which 8,179 hectares are table grapes), a slight increase in the area from 2023 (+0.1%). "This places it on the 8th place worldwide, surpassing countries such as Portugal, Chile and Australia. Romania is among the few member states of the European Union to witness growth in 2024, along with Italy and Greece, amid a generalised decline elsewhere in Europe," according to the National Office of Wine and Vine Products (ONVPV).In terms of domestic consumption, Romania recorded a decrease of 11.4%, with an estimated total of 3 mhl consumed in 2024. Despite the decline, consumption remains 4% above the average of the last five years, signalling a relative resilience of the domestic market, despite economic and inflationary pressures, according to ONVPV.Globally, 2024 was a difficult year for the wine sector, marked by extreme weather conditions, historic declines in production and a continuously declining global consumption. According to OIV, global wine production (excluding musts and juices) fell to 225.8 mhl, the lowest level since 1961.Also, OIV estimates for 2024 indicate a world consumption of 214.2 mhl, down 3.3% from 2023 and the lowest since 1961. The downward trend, which began in 2018, reflects changes in consumer behaviour, generational preferences, but also economic pressures such as inflation and declining purchasing power.The European Union produced 138.3 million mhl in 2024 (-3.5% from 2023), recording the lowest production in the 21st century. Italy remains the world's largest producer at 44.1 mhl, followed by France (36.1 mhl, down 23.5%) and Spain (31 mhl).The volume of international trade in wine remained relatively low at 99.8 mhl, this was offset by strong export value, reaching EUR 35.9 billion. Bottled wine (< 2 litres) represented 50.8% of trade volumes globally in 2024 and 67.0% of the value, while sparkling and bag-in-box wines recorded decreases in both volume and value.