France Unveils €130 Million Plan to Pull Up Vines as Wine Industry Reaches Breaking Point
France has announced a new €130 million package to help winegrowers uproot vines, a move the government says is necessary to reduce oversupply and stabilise an industry battered by climate shocks, falling consumption, and mounting economic pressure. The Agriculture Ministry confirmed on Monday that it will also ask the European Union to contribute additional funding.
The measure lands at a moment of rare turbulence for French wine — a sector often portrayed as pessimistic, yet now facing difficulties even its critics acknowledge are unprecedented. Major producers have long been accused of seeking state support at the first sign of trouble, but this time the warning bells are ringing across the entire industry.
France – Vine Uprooting (2010–2024)
Producers Warn of “Survival Fight”
Ahead of crisis talks with Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard, vineyard owners said a succession of poor harvests — some of the worst in seven decades — has pushed thousands of winemakers to the edge.
Jean-Marie Fabre, head of the independent winemakers’ union, warned that up to 20% of producers could disappear without immediate intervention.
“People are giving everything they have just to stay afloat,” Fabre said. “The situation is dire, and the government cannot stand by. To abandon such a crucial sector would be unthinkable — the equivalent of Germany deciding its car industry no longer matters.”
Over the weekend, several thousand growers gathered in Béziers to demand emergency aid to offset losses tied to extreme weather, soaring production costs and another year of slumping sales.
Climate Change and Declining Demand Collide
In its announcement, the Agriculture Ministry said the industry is trapped in a “deepening crisis,” shaped by repeated climate-related blows and a long-term drop in consumer demand, especially for red wine. French wine production is expected to rise slightly compared with last year’s rain-damaged harvest but still remain 13% below the five-year average, as drought, heatwaves and a reduction in vineyard area drag down output.
Vine removal — a strategy the government has already subsidised — aims to shrink production capacity. But critics say the approach carries new risks, including leaving southern regions more exposed to wildfires once vineyards are cleared.
A Structural Reset May Be Inevitable
Beyond weather and geopolitics, experts say the country simply makes too much wine — and too much of it is of mediocre quality. Some analysts argue that producing less, while diversifying and improving quality, may ultimately strengthen the sector.
A survey by FranceAgriMer, reported by Le Monde, found that one in five French winegrowers is considering shutting down altogether — a shift that could wipe out as many as 100,000 jobs. The wine and spirits industry is a cornerstone of the French economy, generating around €92 billion annually and supporting more than 440,000 jobs across production, tourism, logistics and retail.
Government Says It’s Committed to a Rescue
Genevard said the new aid package reflects the government’s determination to support the sector through its transformation.
“This is a major financial effort at a time of severe budget constraints,” she said. “It demonstrates our commitment to securing the long-term future of France’s wine industry and helping it adapt to the challenges ahead.”
Whether the lifeline will be enough remains uncertain — but for many growers, it may be their last chance to stay rooted in an industry that has shaped France’s identity for centuries.
France Annual Climate Trends (2010–2024)
Rainfall (Bar): Annual percentage deviation from the long-term average.
