Industry 20 October 2026

OIV global wine production report 2026: output stabilises after two volatile years

Source: International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV)

Global production ~258 million hectolitres

Largest producer Italy

Consumption trend Flat in traditional markets

Growth markets Asia-Pacific, Africa

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine has published its preliminary 2026 global wine production report, estimating total output at approximately 258 million hectolitres — a stabilisation after the extreme lows of 2023 and 2024, which were driven by severe spring frosts in France, persistent drought in Spain and wildfires in parts of the southern hemisphere. Italy leads global production for the second consecutive year, followed closely by France and Spain.

The headline figure masks significant regional variation. France returned to above-average production after two frost-damaged harvests, while Spain continues to grapple with drought-related yield reductions in La Mancha and Extremadura. Australia and Chile both report solid harvests, contributing to global supply stability. The OIV notes that climate variability remains the single greatest systemic risk to consistent global wine production in the medium term.

Top producing countries in 2026

Italy: approximately 49.1 million hectolitres — Veneto, Puglia and Sicily the largest contributing regions.
France: approximately 45.8 million hectolitres — recovery from 2023–24 frost damage.
Spain: approximately 37.5 million hectolitres — drought continues to constrain central Spain.
USA: approximately 23.1 million hectolitres — California dominates.
Australia: approximately 13.4 million hectolitres — South Australia strong.
Chile: approximately 12.9 million hectolitres — consistent harvest.
Argentina: approximately 12.3 million hectolitres — Mendoza the cornerstone.

Consumption: the structural challenge

While production stabilises, wine consumption in traditional markets continues to face structural headwinds. Per-capita wine drinking in France, Italy and Germany has declined steadily over the past decade, driven by health awareness, changing alcohol attitudes among younger consumers, and competition from other beverages. The OIV estimates that total global wine consumption in 2026 is approximately 232 million hectolitres — meaning there is a small surplus of supply over demand, which is contributing to downward price pressure in the commodity and entry-level segments.

The premium and ultra-premium segments tell a different story. Demand for wines priced above £15 at retail continues to grow in the UK, US and key Asia-Pacific markets, as consumers in mature markets shift toward quality over quantity. This bifurcation — weakening demand at the value end, strengthening demand at the premium end — is reshaping the strategies of large wine companies and cooperatives. For context on how wine regions respond to market pressures, see the what a region tells you guide.

Climate change and future production

The OIV report dedicates a chapter to climate adaptation, noting that virtually every major wine region is implementing changes: earlier harvesting to manage alcohol levels, irrigation expansion in previously dry-farmed areas, altitude planting to find cooler sites, and variety switching to later-ripening cultivars. These adaptations have costs — financial, agronomic and in some cases regulatory (PDO rules often restrict variety use) — that will shape the global wine landscape over the next two decades. See cool and warm climate styles for how climate fundamentally determines wine style.

Source: International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV), October 2026. All production figures are OIV preliminary estimates and subject to revision. Published 2026-10-20. Corrections via the contact form.

Questions

About global wine production.

Who collects global wine production data and how reliable is it?

The International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) is the intergovernmental body responsible for collecting and publishing global wine statistics. Founded in 1924, it currently has 50 member states representing the vast majority of global wine production. National submissions to the OIV are compiled from each country's agricultural ministry or wine authority — in France the data comes from FranceAgriMer, in Italy from ISTAT, in Spain from the MAPA. While the data is authoritative, there is an inherent 12–18 month lag between harvest and publication, and figures for emerging producer countries are less precise than for the established European producers.

Why does global wine production fluctuate so much year to year?

Wine production is primarily determined by the size of the harvest in any given year, which is in turn driven by weather conditions: frost in spring, hail during summer, drought or excess rainfall at harvest can all dramatically reduce or increase yields in a major wine country. Because France, Italy and Spain together account for roughly 45–50% of global production, a difficult year in any two of these three countries creates a noticeable global dip. Climate change is amplifying this volatility: extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more severe, and harvest dates across Europe have shifted earlier by two to three weeks on average over the past three decades. See vintage for how individual year conditions affect wine quality.

Is global wine consumption growing or declining?

Global wine consumption has been broadly flat since the mid-2010s, masking important regional trends. Traditional markets — France, Italy, Spain, Germany, the UK and the US — have seen stagnation or gentle decline in per-capita consumption, particularly among younger consumers. This is offset by growth in Asia-Pacific markets (China, South Korea, Vietnam) and in African markets (South Africa, Nigeria). Premium wine consumption is growing faster than volume wine consumption globally, reflecting a 'drink less but better' trend in mature markets. The OIV annual report provides the most comprehensive breakdown of these trends by country and category.

Which countries are increasing vineyard area in 2026?

The OIV data shows vineyard area expansion concentrated in a handful of countries. China remains the largest grower of vine area in absolute terms, though much of this is table grapes rather than wine grapes. In Europe, significant replanting is occurring in England (warming climate), and there is documented expansion in Belgium, Denmark and Sweden. In the Southern Hemisphere, South Africa and New Zealand are planting new varieties and clones as producers respond to climate change and market demand. Established European producers face stricter replanting controls under EU PDO rules. See the wine regions by country guide for a geographic overview.