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German Wine Industry Warns of 'Historic Crisis' as 2025 Vintage Delivers Quality, Not Profit

A year-end farmers' report says prices far below costs are pushing growers to the brink.

Overview

  • The 2025 harvest totaled 7.3 million hectoliters, 16% below the ten-year average and the smallest since 2010.
  • Bulk wine is selling for €0.40–€0.60 per liter against production costs of about €1.20.
  • German wine’s domestic share has slid to 41%, with supermarkets controlling 64% of sales and exerting heavy price pressure.
  • Exports are further constrained by U.S. tariffs on what the sector calls its most important overseas market.
  • Farmers’ president Joachim Rukwied warns vineyard area could be lost as labor shortages and higher minimum wages squeeze producers in labor-intensive steep sites, and he urges consumers to buy more German wine.