Greeck Wine Production to Rise as Italy and Spain Build Up Stocks

Greece’s wine production is expected to reach 1.67 million hectolitres in the 2026/2027 season, up 1.2% from the previous year, despite high summer temperatures and heatwaves across several European regions, according to data from the Central Cooperative Union of Vine and Wine Products (KEOSOE).

The estimated Greek output represents an increase of approximately 20,000 hectolitres from the 1.65 million hectolitres recorded in the previous season. The figures, presented by KEOSOE, draw on the European Commission’s latest estimates.

Wine production across the European Union is expected to remain broadly stable at around 139.2 million hectolitres. However, rising wine stocks in some of the bloc’s largest producing countries are raising concerns about potential pressure on prices.

Italy Leads European Wine Production

Italy is expected to remain the EU’s largest wine producer, with estimated output of 41.12 million hectolitres in 2026/2027. This represents a 7.6% decline from the 44.49 million hectolitres recorded in 2025.

Spain ranks second, with the European Commission forecasting production of 37.6 million hectolitres. However, Spanish agri-food cooperatives issued a lower estimate in early October, projecting combined wine and must production of approximately 34 million hectolitres, compared with 33.16 million hectolitres in 2025.

In France, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Agriculture forecasts production of 33.86 million hectolitres, below the 34.9 million hectolitres reported by French statistics agency Agreste on 7 October. The Commission revised its forecast upwards from September, largely because of improved yields in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.

Germany is expected to increase production to 8.03 million hectolitres, up from 7.55 million in 2025.

Portugal’s production is forecast to rise by 12% to 6.67 million hectolitres, while Romania could record a 32.5% increase to 4.57 million hectolitres.

By contrast, Hungary and Austria face substantial declines. KEOSOE estimates that Hungarian production will fall by 42% to 1.75 million hectolitres, while Austrian output will drop by 32% to 1.74 million hectolitres.

Heatwaves Bring Forward the Grape Harvest

High temperatures accelerated grape ripening across several European wine-producing regions, bringing forward the 2026 harvest.

In Italy’s Veneto region, one of the country’s most important wine-producing areas, harvesting began eight to ten days earlier than usual, with some grape varieties showing an even greater shift.

In Spain, the harvest began in late July, approximately 15 days earlier than normal. David Martin, a broker at Ciatti, described the development as unprecedented.

Despite the challenging weather conditions, the European harvest has received an overall positive assessment for quality.

Wine Stocks Rise in Italy and Spain

While producers report encouraging grape quality, rising inventories in major wine-producing countries are creating additional challenges for the European market.

Italy held approximately 41 million hectolitres of wine stocks on 30 September 2026, an increase of 14%, or around five million hectolitres, compared with the same period a year earlier. However, stocks fell by 3.5% compared with the end of July.

White wines recorded particularly notable increases. Stocks of wines with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status rose by 23.7%, while stocks of wines with Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status increased by 34%.

Spain reported a similar trend. Stocks of wine and unfermented must reached 40.1 million hectolitres, up 21.9%, or 7.2 million hectolitres, compared with 31 August 2025, according to the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Organisation (OIVE).

The contrasting trends across Europe highlight a season in which production remains broadly stable at EU level, but national output varies considerably and growing inventories in Italy and Spain could weigh on market conditions.

(Source: Athens-Macedonian News Agency)