French vineyards to clear 20,000 acres amid falling wine demand and rising competition

Located in the renowned wine-producing region of Bordeaux, these vineyard owners have put in for a permit to clear around 20,000 acres of land where grapes are currently cultivated. This information was communicated on Friday by the French Ministry of Agriculture, headquartered in Paris.

The procedures associated with the elimination of grape crops are anticipated to start before May ends. Vineyard owners opting for this course are presently enduring a difficult period. France Info portal indicates that the causes include falling wine prices, a drop in the volume of exports, and an overproduction of this beverage. It is believed that wine production surplus nearly reaches 263 million gallons.

Additionally, there has been a noted decline in wine consumption, predominantly among the younger generations who are progressively opting for beer and other alcoholic beverages. Over the past decade, the consumption of red wine among young French people has reduced almost by a third.

Internationally, French wines are up against rapidly growing and stern competition. This, in turn, has escalated wine production costs, leading to the inception of a program to diminish the extent of vineyards. For each acre cleared, wine producers are projected to receive approximately 6,000 euros or $7,200 as compensation.

The French authorities are also considering a re-naturalization program with the intention to transform vineyard areas into forests or fallow land. This transformation process is projected to span at least 20 years. The authorities are additionally encouraging crop diversification, expected to aid producers during this strenuous time.