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 Global wine exports continued to increase in volume (104 mhl), an increase of 3% compared with 2013. The wine world is getting more globalised with the imported wine today being at 43% compared to 27% ten years ago.
Presenting the customary wine statistics for 2014 vintage at Mainz, Aurand informed that the Global wine production in 2014 fell to 270 mhl after a record 2013 production of 291 mhl in 2013. This level of world wine production is in line with the average over the past six years. The 2014 vintage was marked by adverse climate conditions in Eastern Europe, which affected the production in various countries.
Despite a downward trend, Europe remained the top wine producer. France was the leading country (46.2 mhl), ahead of Italy with a recorded harvest of 44.7 mhl and Spain, which returned to its average production level (38.2 mhl) after a record year in 2013.
In addition, production in the southern hemisphere and the United States continued to increase. Argentina recorded 15.2 mhl (+1 %), New Zealand saw a new record with 3.2 mhl (+29 %), South Africa reached 11.3 mhl (+4 %) and the United States had high production levels of 22.3 mhl.
Consumption drops marginally
There was a slight decrease in global consumption in 2014, estimated at around 240 mhl. The traditional consumer countries stagnated or resumed their downward trend but this proved an advantage for the new consumption areas. The period between 2000 and 2014 was characterised by a shift in wine consumption. 40% of wine production is consumed outside of European countries, compared with 31% in 2000.
With 30.7 mhl, the United States remained on top as the biggest global consumer country. In keeping with past trends, France (27.9 mhl) and Italy (20.4 mhl) resumed their decline between 2013 and 2014, by 0.9 mhl and 1.4 mhl respectively. Even China saw a fall in consumption estimated at 15.8 mhl thus resulting in a reduction of 1.2 mhl compared with 2013.
Out of the total consumption rosé has increased its share to 10% at 24 mhl whereas in India it continues to be a laggard at less than 5% consumption. OIV plans to bring out a special report at the end of the year to highlight this sector.
Chine becomes no. 2 in Vineyard surface area
The total area under vines (including vineyards not yet in production) reached 7573 kha in 2014, slightly higher at 10% compared with 2013. Top 5 producers-Spain (14%), China (11%), France (10%), Italy (9%) and Turkey (7%) account for almost half the surface area (44%) planted with grapes.
Spain remains the leader with the biggest surface area under vines which has been steady at 1038 hAs for many years but China which has been increasing its cultivation at breakneck speed, reached around 800 khAs in 2014. It was only 588 kha 4 years ago in 2010. (At this rate, it will be the world's number one grape grower in 3 years!) Spain and other countries like France and Italy have remained at the same level because of grubbing incentives by the EU till 2011. Asia and South America have increased their share, with China taking the major chunk of that acreage.
There has been an upward trend in grape production over the last 15 years, despite the decline in vineyard surface area. This decline may be explained by a rise in yields due to the continual improvement of viticultural techniques and favourable climate conditions in some countries.
India maintains ninth position in grape production
For the statistically interested the global total grape production reached 737 mql in 2014, a drop of 40 mql compared with 2013. China had the lion’s share of production at 111,000kq and was ranked as the world’s no. 1 producer. The leadership position has been because of the eating grapes that give a much higher yield. Similarly India at 26.020 mql may be less than a fourth that of China but, it maintains the no. 9 spot, as delWine had reported 4 years ago. It is closing in on Argentina at 26.853 mql holding no. 8 spot for production. These figures include the eating and drying grapes (resins) besides wine grapes.
The production of table grapes (248 mql), usually obtained with higher yields than for wine grapes, is less widespread in Europe than in Asia and America. Asia is by far the continent that produces the most table grapes. More than half of the world grape production intended for direct consumption (63%) takes place there. Europe is still the leader in terms of wine grape production (65%).
Jean-Marie Aurand, the Director General of OIV, took over from Federico Castellucci who retired from OIV after 10 years and who was instrumental in getting India as a member of the OIV. For his efforts to make it possible, Arora had been invited to attend the 34th World Congress in Porto in June 2011 and had been awarded the OIV Medal of Merit.
Subhash Arora Awarded Medal of Merit by OIV
Subhash Arora
Abbreviations used by OIV:
kha: thousands of hectares
kql: thousands of quintals
mql ;millions of quintals
khl: thousands of hectolitres
mhl: millions of hectolitres |