German Winemakers Face Crisis as Grape Harvest Plummets

Extreme weather and economic challenges threaten the future of Germany's wine industry with a significant drop in grape yields.

The 2024 grape harvest in Germany is projected at 7.9 million hectoliters, marking a 10% decrease from the ten-year average.
Extreme weather conditions have heavily impacted regions such as the Ahr, Sachsen, and Saale-Unstrut, exacerbating the crisis.
Despite reduced production, high stock levels keep market prices low, with bulk wine selling for as little as 70 cents per liter.
Winemakers face rising production costs, with expenses nearly double the current selling price, leading to financial strain.
Efforts to stabilize the market include potential 'rotational fallows' and calls for increased domestic consumption of German wines.