PARIS, Oct 31(Reuters )-World red wine production in 2022 is anticipated to dip a little listed below last year’s level, with a better than awaited volume in drought-hit Europe primarily offsetting a forecast drop in southern hemisphere output, an intergovernmental wine body stated. In preliminary forecasts this year, the International Organisation of Vine and Red Wine(OIV)pegged world production at between 257.5 million and 262.3 million hectolitres (mhl), with a mid‑range estimate at 259.9 mhl.
That would be around 1%lower compared with an estimated 2021 volume of 262 mhl and listed below the average of the past twenty years, the OIV said in a note.
A hectolitre is the equivalent of 133 basic wine bottles.” Overall, in 2022 the dry and hot conditions observed across various areas of the world have actually led to early harvests and average volumes,” it said. “Nevertheless a total excellent quality is expected.”
In Europe, rain at the end of summertime helped to limit the impact of drought in Italy and France, the world’s 2 biggest producers, although heatwaves harmed prospects in Spain, the number 3 manufacturer. European Union output was anticipated at 157 mhl, up 2%from last year, with the OIV echoing previous forecasts that expected a steady volume in Italy, a sharp rebound in France after a poor 2021 harvest, and a decline in Spain.
For the United States, the world’s fourth-biggest red wine producer, the 2022 volume was seen down 4%from in 2015 and 6%under the five-year average, showing the impacts of frost followed by summertime drought and associated water shortage, the OIV stated. Southern hemisphere production was predicted to have fallen 7 % from a record level in 2021 following less beneficial weather, but it would remain in line with the five-year average.
The OIV warned that it did not have 2022 data for China and Russia, however prepared for a structural decrease in Chinese production would continue. Reporting by Gus Trompiz; additional reporting by Sybille de La Hamaide; editing by Barbara Lewis Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Concepts.