 The global grape production decreased to 675.3 million quintals from 685.7 million quintals in the previous year. But Castellucci said it had exceeded that of 2007 (665.2 million quintals) and 2006 (667.5 million quintals).
With a global decrease of 3.6% in wine consumption recorded in 2009 (236.5 million hL), the downward trend started in 2008 (245.2 million hL) continued in the context of reduced global demand. However, there was a slight increase in the world wine production of 1.1 million hL compared with 2008; it reached 268.7 million hL against 267.6 million hL in 2008.
Castellucci also presented the evolution scenario of global wine trading for 2009. The year was marked by a decrease of 3.47 million hL of wine exports compared with 2008. “After an uninterrupted period of growth since 2000, global wine exports reversed the trend in 2008 because of the economic crisis and followed the downward trend in 2009 as well,’ he said, adding however that the global volume of exported wines was higher than that of 2006 and the previous years.
Federico Castellucci, CEO of the OIV (International Organisation of Vines and Wine) was presenting on Monday, the main trends that marked the global wine and vine industry in 2009, in a context of global economic downturn at the 33rd World Congress on Wine and Vine being held in Tbilisi, Georgia where official representatives of the 45 member States and observers of the OIV are attending the 8-day meet where 183 scientific papers are being presented. President of the Republic of Georgia, Mr. Mikheil Saakashvili and the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Bakur Kvezereli also attended.
India has approached this Paris-based august international body for membership through the Indian Grape Processing Board. However, the official application is pending approval at the Ministry of External Affairs since March this year. It takes 6-months before that application is accepted unless some member state raises serious objections. According to reliable sources, no such hurdles are expected from member states which have to be through the respective governments.
In view of the impact of the economic downturn on the wine industry, Castellucci recommended a continued commitment by the OIV member states to achieve the goals stated in the three-yearly strategic plan of the Organisation. The objectives aim to minimise the negative impact of the global economic crisis on producers and consumers.
Following is the yearly summary presented by the CEO of OIV:
1. Global vineyard area
2. Global grape production
3. Global wine production
4. Global wine consumption
5. Global wine imports
6. Global wine exports |