Belgium’s wine industry suffered a dramatic blow last year, with production plunging by 64% due to extreme weather conditions, according to figures released by the Economy Ministry on Thursday.
The country produced approximately 1.226 million litres of wine in 2024, marking the lowest output since 2017. One in five winegrowers reported losing nearly their entire harvest.
The decline follows a series of adverse weather events that devastated vineyards across the country.
A late April night frost severely damaged budding vines, while an exceptionally wet spring lasting until the end of June led to widespread flowering failure and rampant mould growth. Despite the sharp downturn, officials are keen to place the situation in perspective.
“Nevertheless, the decline is relative,” said Economy Ministry spokesperson Lien Meurisse. “We were spoiled with exceptional yields in 2023 and 2022. If we compare it with previous years, the yield in 2024 will remain low, but the decline will appear less sharp. It is important to emphasise: the grapes were of excellent quality.”
Rosé and Red Wines Hit Hardest
While all wine types were affected, rosé sparkling wine suffered the most significant drop, with production falling by 78%.
Red wine was similarly impacted, recording a 76% decline. The Economy Ministry suggests that winegrowers may have prioritised their core products due to the lower yields, with white and sparkling wines remaining Belgium’s main focus.
The regional distribution of production also shifted notably in 2024. In 2023, Wallonia accounted for a slightly larger share of Belgium’s total wine output (53.5%) compared to Flanders (46.5%).
However, the situation reversed this year, with Flemish winegrowers producing 672,171 litres, 21% more than their Walloon counterparts, who yielded 553,576 litres.
Belgian Wine Industry Continues to Expand
Despite the challenging conditions, Belgium’s wine industry continues to grow in terms of both producers and vineyard area.
The number of registered winegrowers increased from 290 in 2023 to 321 in 2024, following a steady rise from 259 in 2022. This figure includes both professional vintners and hobbyists.
Vineyard expansion also continued, with 958 hectares planted with vines in 2024, up from 891 hectares in 2023 and 801 hectares in 2022. This growth indicates sustained interest in Belgian wine production despite the difficulties posed by climate-related challenges.
Future Outlook for Belgian Wine
While the decline in production presents short-term challenges, the high quality of grapes harvested in 2024 provides some optimism for winegrowers and consumers alike. Experts suggest that if weather conditions stabilise in the coming years, production levels could recover.
For now, however, Belgian wine enthusiasts may need to brace for reduced availability and potential price increases, particularly for rosé and red varieties. As climate patterns continue to fluctuate, the resilience of Belgium’s growing wine sector will be put to the test.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
