Under Pressure, French Wine and Spirits Turn to African and Indian Markets

Under pressure from the United States and China, French wine and spirit exports fell by 17% within three years, but French wine producers were not overly panicked and instead turned to African or Indian markets.

The French wine industry is facing difficulties. This week, at the opening of the Paris Wine Fair, the industry federation announced a further decline in exports in 2025, which undoubtedly cast a shadow over the French grape industry.

Due to the tariffs imposed by the US and China on European wine exports, the production of wine in Europe and France, among other countries, has been affected. The wine industry hopes to minimize losses in 2026. At the same time, the industry is also exploring new markets and has high expectations for the medium-term outlook.

After a 5.9% decline in 2023 and a 4% decline in 2024, the industry is currently facing an 8% devastating drop in 2025, with wine export revenue falling from 17.2 billion euros in 2022 to 14.3 billion euros in 2025, meaning a 17% decrease in wine exports within just three years.

It shows that French wine exports have been affected by geopolitical tensions with the United States and Trump's high tariff policies. The US president initially threatened to impose tariffs as high as 200%, which were eventually reduced to 15%.

Jean-Marie Fabre, chairman of the French Independent Winemakers Association, said: "High tariff measures caused consumer panic, plus unfavorable dollar/euro exchange rates, added a total of 35% in export surcharges, which were almost entirely borne by consumers. In such circumstances, consumption can only decline."

In contrast, French wine exports to South Africa showed strong growth, with exports surging 22% to 182 million euros. The EU signed a bilateral free trade agreement with India, which was finally finalized at the beginning of this year, reducing the tariff on EU wine in India from 120% to 75%, and further to 20% over seven years. Currently, the EU is actively pushing for a similar agreement with South Africa.

Source: rfi

Original: toutiao.com/article/1857297332332743/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author themselves.