(Italy & the world – for acquisition, divestment, and positioning decisions).
Key points
- In Italy, the 2025 harvest is estimated at around 47.4 Mhl (8% vs 2024) according to Assoenologi-UIV-ISMEA, with good-excellent recorded yields.
- However, the OIV reports that global production is estimated to be lower than the five-year average for 2025, with Italy being a positive exception in the global panorama.
- The bulk wine market in Italy maintains a stable average price of around €0.78/litre (2.1% on the previous period), but with decreasing volumes and already high stocks.
- Italian exports show selective growth: in the first half of 2025 the value marked 1.5% and the volumes 2.1% for the main destinations, but with a deterioration in the average price, especially towards the USA.
- Inventories in Italy represent an “elephant in the room”: surplus inventory combined with increasing production generates strong pressure on the generic and low-value segments.
- On the M&A and financial instruments front, the use of innovative instruments (e.g., guaranteed bonds on wine stocks) by Italian wine companies is growing.
- The strategic context suggests that value today is created more on the digital asset, the channel, quality and premium exports rather than on pure volumetric growth—a crucial shift for those operating in acquisitions/divestitures.
M&A Radar
| Deal / Rumor | Parts | Size / Notes | Geography | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caffo Group 1915 acquires Italian Wine Brands branch (Talloria Valley, Piedmont) | Caffo ↔ IWB | nondisclosure | IT-Piedmont | |
| Castel-Vins acquires Tannico e-commerce platform (from Campari & Moët Hennessy) |
Prices & Harvest – Mini Operational Box
- Sangiovese grapes in Umbria: ~€26-30/100 kg; Merlot/Cabernet ~€28-30/100 kg; Sagrantino DOCG ~€100-140/100 kg (October data)
- Veneto/Vicenza DOC grapes: ~€40-60/quintal for white/red (October data)
- Bulk wine in Italy: ~€0.78/litre (2.1% on the previous period) but a less active market and weak trade.
- Italian production 2025: approx. 47.4 Mhl (8%), but cautious revision towards ~44 Mhl in some readings.
- Operational note: With high inventories and production growth, careful inventory management and segmentation (premium vs. generic) are required to avoid margin erosion.