Disappointing harvest for Walloon winegrowers
The wine harvest in Wallonia has been disappointing this year, as frost and rain have resulted in a yield that is only about half the amount of grapes harvested in 2023.
It could be called a disaster year, said Vanessa Wyckmans-Vaxelaire, president of the Walloon winegrowers' association. The harvest is often between 30 and 50 per cent of what it was last year, she said.
In addition to the drop in quantity, this year's quality also seems to be disappointing. Much depends on the location of the vineyard and the grape variety, with some varieties doing better than others.
However, 2023 was an exceptional year for Belgian wine, in terms of both quantity and quality. Production rose to a record level and the number of growers and hectares also increased, according to figures published by the ministry of Economic Affairs in March.
In 2023, total Belgian wine production rose by almost 13 per cent to more than 3.4 million litres. Wallonia accounted for 1.8 million litres and Flanders for almost 1.6 million litres. Production of sparkling wine and white wine increased in particular.
To compensate for this year's disappointing harvest, Walloon wine growers who have been in business for a while will be able to offset some of their losses thanks to stocks from previous years. Producers just starting out will face more difficulties in compensating for the low harvest.
© BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS