The year 2024 was one of the most difficult in the recent history of the wine industry. According to the latest report by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), published in April 2025, global wine production reached a historic low, consumption continued to decline, and international trade remained at low levels despite high prices. Climate change, inflation, and shifting consumer preferences are among the key factors that have reshaped the global wine market.
A weak year for global wine production
Global wine production in 2024, excluding musts and juices, was estimated at 225.8 million hectolitres, the lowest level in the past 60 years. This significant decline is the result of atypical weather events such as early frosts, heavy rainfall during critical periods, and prolonged droughts, which affected vineyard productivity in both hemispheres.
In Europe, the region responsible for over 60% of global production, the impact was strongly felt. Although Italy saw a slight recovery from the previous year, with a production of 44.1 million hectolitres, France and Spain produced significantly less than their multi-year averages. France, for example, recorded its lowest volume since 1957, affected by excessive rainfall, vine diseases, and hailstorms.
Romania produced 3.7 million hectolitres in 2024, nearly 20% less than in 2023, due to difficult weather conditions similar to those experienced throughout the rest of Europe. This figure places the country below its five-year average and confirms the vulnerability of the wine sector in the face of climate change.
Vineyard area: Romania maintains its position in the global Top 10
Romania remains among the world’s top ten countries in terms of vineyard area, with 187,000 hectares in 2024. While many European countries have reduced their cultivated areas, Romania recorded a slight increase (+0.1%) compared to the previous year. This is a sign that viticulture remains an important sector, despite challenges related to adaptation and sustainability.
By comparison, other countries in the region, such as Bulgaria and Hungary, reported vineyard area decreases of up to 7%. On a global scale, the trend is downward, with 2024 marking the fourth consecutive year of declining vineyard areas, particularly among those dedicated to wine production.
Wine consumption: general decline, but Romania remains above historical average
Global wine consumption in 2024 was estimated at 214.2 million hectolitres, a 3.3% decrease from the previous year, reaching the lowest level since 1961. Against a backdrop of inflation, reduced purchasing power, and changing social habits, consumers are becoming more selective, and some traditional markets are shrinking.
In the European Union, where nearly half of the world's wine is consumed, countries such as France, Germany, and Italy have reported declining consumption. However, Portugal and Spain saw modest increases. In Romania, consumption dropped by 11.4%, reaching 3 million hectolitres. Nevertheless, this level remains 4% above the five-year average, indicating that Romanian consumer interest in wine is not in decline but rather may be shifting, with potential for adjustment through education and a more diversified offer.
International trade and the growing importance of quality
The total volume of global wine exports remained at 99.8 million hectolitres in 2024, but the value stayed high – 35.9 billion euros – due to rising prices. This situation reflects a trend toward premium products, where quality, origin, and the story behind the wine increasingly influence purchasing decisions.
For Romania, this dynamic could represent an opportunity. Although not a major player in the international wine market, Romania has a valuable viticultural heritage, with unique native grape varieties, strong winemaking traditions, and wineries that can attract international attention. The development of wine tourism, alongside the promotion of local wines, could contribute to increasing exports and consolidating the country's image as a producer of quality wines.
Future directions: cooperation, research, and sustainability
In conclusion to the OIV conference, John Barker, the organisation’s Director General, emphasized that the wine industry must adapt rapidly to meet new realities. Adapting to climate change, understanding new generations of consumers, and supporting global trade are essential pillars for the sustainable development of the wine sector.
For Romania, the future means investing in vineyard protection technologies, training winegrowers, promoting local wines, and building a coherent strategy for positioning on the international market. In a global context marked by uncertainty, Romanian wine has the opportunity to become a benchmark product for authenticity, tradition, and quality.
Source OIV
22/04/2025
