Wine consumption falls, organic wine consumption rises. This is the finding of the study by research firm IWSR (UK), carried out on behalf of Sudvinbio, the association that expresses 36 percent of French organic vineyards and organizes Millésime Bio, the largest trade fair in the sector, on 27-29.1.20 in Montpellier.
Organic wine on a roll
Organic wine-like the entire organic food industry-is going strong. In the past 5 years, sales have doubled globally to 3.3 billion in the 5 countries analyzed alone. France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the United States. In 2023, IWSR estimates, organic will account for 3.5 percent of the world wine market with 2 billion bottles.
The biggest admirers have traditionally been the Germans. Since 2013, the ranking of the top 4 countries in the world for organic wine consumption has been led by Germany (19 percent of global organic wine consumption in 2019), followed by France (17.1), Great Britain (10.2) and Italy (7.6). As early as next year, France is expected to overtake Germany, accounting for 20 percent of global organic wine consumption by 2023.
In the near future, however, the French are expected to leap forward on all fronts. Starting with the extension of vineyards certified as organic. That is, grown without chemical fertilizers, pesticides and synthetic herbicides. To make wines without enzymes and GMO microorganisms, with quali-quantitative restrictions on the use of additives and oenological aids. Most importantly, few sulfites.
Italy, exports top, but empty glasses
Italy-the world’s leading producer of organic wine-looks set to slow down, according to IWSR. In the 2018-2023 period, the increase in production is estimated at just 30 percent (compared to 68 percent in the previous five-year period), compared to a 70 and 76 percent jump in France and Spain, respectively. Among other things, the latter would be destined to cede second place to organic winemakers from beyond the Alps in three years.
Consumption analysis shows an Italy committed to confirming its leadership in production and exports, thanks in part to the recent agreement between Federbio and Coldiretti, but without increasing domestic consumption. A character that unites the Belpaese with Spain. In contrast, the productions of France, Germany and the United States are mainly consumed in their respective territories.
French bubbles
French leadership in organic bubbly production remains undisputed. With 40.2 million bottles produced in 2019, France is followed at a distance by Italy (26.4), Spain (15.7), Germany (9) and the United States (2.5).
Consumption of organic sparkling wines increased by 19.1 percent each year, on average, during 2013-2018. The climb will continue over the 2018-2023 period, with an average growth index projected at 8.2 percent per year (compared with a paltry +0.5 percent per year for non-organic sparkling wines). With increase in value estimated at +2.7%/year, starting from an average price of 14 euros per bottle.
Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".
