Crushed Grapes and Dreams: Australian Farmers Battle Wine Glut, Millions of Vines Sacrificed to Salvage Struggling Industry
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Amid a global downturn in wine consumption, Australian farmers are grappling with the aftermath of overproduction, compelling the destruction of millions of vines. In regions like Griffith, once thriving with Italian-influenced vineyards, excavators strip away rows of vines as growers face plummeting grape prices and shrinking demand, especially for lower-cost reds. The oversupply crisis, exacerbated by waning demand in China, prompts major wine makers like Treasury Wines and Accolade Wines to shift focus to pricier bottles, leaving areas like Griffith in economic distress.
With over two billion liters of excess wine stockpiled in 2023, growers rush to salvage what they can, even selling at meager prices. The government acknowledges the sector’s challenges but growers argue for more substantial support. To rebalance the market, experts suggest uprooting up to a quarter of vines in regions like Griffith, potentially destroying over 20 million vines across 12,000 hectares.
Global Downturn in Wine: Australia’s Wine Industry at a Crossroads as Vineyards Nationwide Face Financial Strain, Transitioning Farmers Signal an End to Tradition
The ripple effect extends beyond Griffith, with vineyards nationwide facing financial strain. Health concerns globally contribute to reduced alcohol consumption, impacting the market for cheaper wines. While regions like Tasmania and the Yarra Valley adapt with popular white wines, Griffith sees the dismantling of vast vineyards, replaced by metal storage tanks holding excess wine that wineries are practically giving away.
As farmers grapple with the global downturn in wine and economic fallout, some are transitioning to alternative crops like citrus and nut trees, symbolizing a shift away from traditional grape growing. The somber sentiment lingers, echoed by fourth-generation grower James Cremasco, who anticipates a future dominated by large corporations, leaving behind a vanishing era of family grape growers and local livelihoods.
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Wow who would have thought wine consumption/demand was going to shrink.. Especially Italian wine wow
No one ever saw this coming,a solution should be reached out in order to help struggling industries