Romania remains one of the world’s top wine producers, despite lower output

Romania remains the twelfth largest wine producer in the world and the sixth largest in Europe, despite a 20% drop in production in 2014, according to International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV). Romania’s wine production went down to 4.09 million hectoliters last year, from 5.11 million hectoliters in 2013, because of bad weather and summer floods in some parts of the country. The total wine production worldwide declined by 4% last year, to 279 million hectoliters. France was the world’s largest wine producer last year, as its output went up by 11% to 46.7 million hectoliters. Italy went down to second spot, as its production declined by 17%, to 44.7 million hectoliters, and Spain was third, with 41.6 million hectoliters, down 9% compared to 2013. The world’s wine consumption stood at some 240 million hectoliters in 2014, slightly down compared to 2013. The U.S. is the largest wine consumer, with an estimated 30.7 million hectoliters, followed by France, Italy and Germany. China is the fifth largest consumer. The international wine trade totaled 104 million hectoliters and reached some EUR 26 billion, according to OIV statistics. Spain was the world’s largest wine exporter in terms of volume, with 22.6 million hectoliters, up by 22% compared to 2013. However, France was the largest wine exporter in terms of value, with EUR 7.73 billion, making three times more money than Spain. The full report (in French) can be found here. editor@romania-insider.com