In 2025, global wine output is inching towards recovery – up 3% from 2024 – where wine production nosedived to a 63-year low. However, it is still 7% below the five-year average, according to initial data from the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV).
Global wine production has ticked up in 2025, with an output of 232 million hectolitres, (A hectolitre equals about 133 standard bottles of wine), but remains below average for the third consecutive year, as vineyards continue to grapple with unpredictable weather conditions, according to OIV.
2024 saw global wine production plummet to its lowest level since 1961 – after frost, drought and heavy rains damaged vineyards across continents. This marked a 2% drop from the already historically low 2023, and a 14% decline compared to the last 10-year average.
And the impacts of extreme weather have also been felt in 2025. In Europe, France recorded its smallest harvest since 1957, while Spain’s output dropped to a 30-year low. Rioja reported low yields after hail, mildew and heat.
But there are causes for celebration. In Italy, production leapt by 8% thanks to favourable climate conditions and vineyard management, realigning volumes with the five-year average following several lighter vintages.
Additionally, the U.S, the world’s fourth-largest producer, is expected to make 21.7 million hectolitres of wine this year, a 3% increase on 2024. However, this is still 9% below the five-year average and notably short of historical highs.
The causes for the lower production of the last three years is predominantly the climatic variations seen across both hemispheres.
Some regions have had heat and drought, and then they’ve had torrential rains or unexpected frosts. And the fact that it’s really the third year in a row where these sorts of effects are occurring ad its quite striking.
In the Southern Hemisphere, production ticked up by 7% after three years of decline, driven by recoveries in South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil, which helped offset lower output in Chile.
Even so, production in the region remains about 5% below the average, the OIV said.