most relevant news for those working in the wine sector (Italy and globally).
Highlights
- Italian exports in the first half of 2025 showed a slight resilience : 1.5% in value (≈ €2.8 billion) and 2.1% in volume (≈ 703.5 million litres).
- Globally, wine production in 2025 is estimated at a 63-year low, with widespread difficulties in the main producing countries.
- The bulk wine and grape market is experiencing stagnant prices, high inventories, and sluggish demand: the market is “slow,” according to Ciatti’s reports.
- Under regulatory pressure, Italy (like Europe in general) now faces a uniform 15% tariff on wine imports to the United States (from August 2025), which penalizes the most sensitive segments.
- In the technological field, artificial intelligence is emerging as a strategic lever for sustainability, vineyard monitoring, predictive models, and personalized wine tourism.
- Despite some areas showing positive prospects (e.g. companies managing acquisition dossiers), the M&A market in the European spirits sector is reporting very low volumes, with M&A activity in the EMEA “spirits / beverages” sector at a 27-year low.
M&A Radar
| Deal / rumor | Parties involved | Size (if known) | Geography / focus | Source and date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Internal dossiers reported by Italian Wine Brands | Italian Wine Brands (IWB) | not disclosed | Italy / wine sector | IWB says it receives daily dossiers for new acquisitions |
| General weak trend in the alcohol sector | many companies evaluate projects | many deals remain stalled | Europe / beverage sector | “Europe’s alcohol dealmaking needs hangover cure” |
Prices & Harvest (mini box)
- Generic black grape prices in Italy (latest report): approximately €4/kg for non-varietal/undifferentiated grapes. Trend compared to the previous year: slight overall increase in grape prices, highlighted in global reports, although affected by high inventories.
- Yields / Yields / Weather Conditions: For 2025, many areas report that production will be below the five-year average, with adverse weather conditions in various areas.
- Outlook for Italy (bulk wine focus): recovery forecast after two difficult years, with estimated production improving from recent lows.