PARIS, Oct 31(Reuters )-World white wine production in 2022 is expected to dip a little below last year’s level, with a much better than expected volume in drought-hit Europe primarily balancing out a forecast drop in southern hemisphere output, an intergovernmental red wine body stated. In initial projections this year, the International Organisation of Vine and White 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 below the average of the past 20 years, the OIV said in a note.
A hectolitre is the equivalent of 133 standard bottle.” Total, in 2022 the dry and hot conditions observed throughout different regions of the world have resulted in early harvests and average volumes,” it said. “However a general excellent quality is anticipated.”
In Europe, rain at the end of summer season helped to limit the impact of dry spell in Italy and France, the world’s two biggest manufacturers, although heatwaves harmed prospects in Spain, the number 3 producer. European Union output was forecast at 157 mhl, up 2%from in 2015, with the OIV echoing previous projections 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 white 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 dry spell and associated water deficiency, the OIV stated. Southern hemisphere production was forecasted to have actually fallen 7 % from a record level in 2021 following less favourable 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 anticipated a structural decline 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.