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France expects 2017 to bring the smallest wine harvest in 60 years. This is reported by the news agency Bloomberg.
According to the French Ministry of Agriculture, the volume of wine this year is estimated at 4.92 billion bottles (36.9 million hectolitres), which represents a decline of around 19 percent compared to last year and is the lowest figure since 1957. The main reasons for the heavy losses, according to the ministry, are the severe frost damage that occurred in Bordeaux at the end of April during the vine blossoming period, and the storms that damaged the grapes in Champagne in August due to rainfall and rot. In addition, persistent drought during the summer months reduced the harvest in Languedoc-Roussillon.
According to Bloomberg, wine is France's most valuable agricultural product, generating a total of 11.5 billion euros in 2016. Last year, wine export earnings amounted to 8.25 billion euros, with plants from the areas of Bordeaux and Champagne, which are now the worst hit by the damage, accounting for the largest share.