The French wine harvest could be about 28-30 percent smaller than in the last five years due to the severe frost damage. This is reported by the agricultural institute FranceAgriMer. That would be, according to the estimate, 12.5-15 million hectolitres less, or about 32 million hectolitres. The average yield of the past five years was about 44.5 million hectolitres. The lowest yield was 37.6 million hectolitres in the frost year 2017; in 2020, conditions were very favourable and the volume ended up at 46.7 million hectolitres. However, this forecast "should be treated with caution," the institute said, as the final result still depends on many other factors, such as the further course of the weather.
The financial loss is estimated at up to €2 billion, and the French government has already announced €1 billion in support for the wine industry. aw
