Champagne region sets 2025 harvest yield at 9,000 kilograms per hectare amid market uncertainty

The executive board of the Comité Champagne decided on Wednesday, July 23, to set the yield for the 2025 harvest at 9,000 kilograms per hectare. This decision comes after several weeks of discussion between winegrowers and Champagne houses, as the region faces a complex market situation. The new yield corresponds to a production of about 258 million bottles, while sales forecasts for 2025 are estimated at around 270 million bottles. This means that Champagne will begin a process of destocking, with an expected reduction of 12 million bottles from current reserves.

Maxime Toubart, president of the Syndicat Général des Vignerons (SGV) and co-president of the Comité Champagne, explained that this level of yield represents a slight destocking effort. He emphasized that the goal is to adapt production as closely as possible to sales forecasts. Toubart also stated that the long-term target remains to sell 300 million bottles annually, a volume he says is necessary for both growers and houses to thrive. He addressed concerns among some growers who fear that Champagne houses might prefer selling fewer bottles at higher prices, insisting that the region’s mission is not to reduce volume in favor of higher prices.

David Chatillon, president of the Union des Maisons de Champagne (UMC) and co-president of the Comité Champagne, pointed out that the current geopolitical and economic climate led to a cautious but ambitious decision. The UMC calculates annual yields based on stock levels as of July 31 and six-year sales projections, aiming for an instant stock ratio of 4.2 years. At present, stocks stand at 1.28 billion bottles, or about 4.8 years’ worth. Chatillon noted that the usual model was suspended this year because it would have resulted in yields too low for many growers.

One significant change for growers is a proposed increase in the amount of harvest they can purchase from others—from 5% up to 15%. This measure is intended to help those with strong commercial growth meet demand. The SGV has requested formal approval from government ministries and remains optimistic about receiving it.

Looking ahead, both growers and houses plan to work together this fall to target commercial efforts in specific countries. Japan has become Champagne’s third-largest export market over the past two decades, and there are hopes that other countries such as India or those in Southeast Asia could follow similar growth paths. The Comité Champagne also confirmed plans for a major event in Champagne in 2027 aimed at boosting international presence.

As harvest approaches—expected to begin around August 20 in some areas—the Comité Champagne is reminding all participants to follow safety and labor guidelines outlined in its “Ensemble pour les vendanges en Champagne” plan. Measures include continued operation of the reception center at Epernay train station and increased labor inspections. The Viti-Argos platform, which connects service providers with seasonal workers, has seen increased use: by July 23, half of all seasonal workers hired through providers were registered on the platform.

Not everyone agrees with the new yield decision. The Fédération des Vignerons Indépendants de Champagne (FIVC), representing independent winegrowers who produce and sell their own wines directly, expressed concern over the reduced yield. Christine Sévillano, president of FIVC, warned that some operations may struggle financially if yields fall below 9,500 kg/ha. She criticized the decision as being based solely on stock levels without broader strategic reflection or optimism for the future.

The FIVC had advocated for a commercial yield of 10,500 kg/ha for 2025, following a harvest set at 10,000 kg/ha in 2024—a figure already down by 12% from 2023. Sévillano questioned whether this year’s lower yield signals a trend toward more years with similarly reduced production levels. She argued that independent producers need to be allowed to produce according to their commercial capacity rather than being encouraged to buy grapes from others.

The independent growers also highlighted financial pressures facing many producers in Champagne: two difficult harvests in recent years (2021 and 2024), rising interest rates, threats from vine diseases such as flavescence dorée, and ongoing concerns about climate change. They noted that just months ago, large operators justified significant price increases by citing inflation and supposed scarcity—scarcity they say is created by annual yield decisions.

The FIVC’s board had supported lowering grape prices instead of reducing yields as a way to maintain higher production levels. They now question what will happen if demand rebounds in two or three years when these lower-yield vintages reach the market—will buyers accept further price hikes due to renewed scarcity?

Champagne’s annual yield decision remains one of its most closely watched events each year, reflecting both immediate market realities and long-term ambitions for one of France’s most iconic wine regions. As harvest nears and global markets continue to shift, all eyes remain on how these decisions will shape Champagne’s future supply and reputation worldwide.