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Video length: 2 min
Aude: disappointing harvests in sight?
The 2024 wine production forecast is -18% over one year according to the Ministry of Agriculture. A decline that can be explained by frost and rain during flowering. During this harvest period, the downward trend has been confirmed, particularly in the Aude.
(France 2)
The 2024 wine production forecast is -18% over one year according to the Ministry of Agriculture. A decline that can be explained by frost and rain during flowering. During this harvest period, the downward trend has been confirmed, particularly in the Aude.
In the middle of the vines, the machines go back and forth. A harvest that a farmer from Aude was forced to bring forward. No choice for him, with the drought, the bunches of grapes are drying in the sun. “The plant can no longer feed the grapes, it pumps the juice from the grapes to maintain its survival”he explained. It is therefore necessary to harvest urgently but the drought has already done its work in the vineyard. The vines, weakened by the lack of water, have produced fewer and much smaller grapes than in previous years.
When unloading the harvest, the observation is alarming. The trailer should have been full, but it is only half full. The crisis is spreading throughout the department. In the neighboring cooperative winery, the loss should be at least 50% this year. A drop in production that leaves many winegrowers helpless but to which they are trying to adapt as best they can. Due to the climatic conditions, wine production should fall by 18% this year in France.
