Why did French wine producers stage protest against cheap foreign vinos

ByGemma Iso

October 25, 2023

In a dramatic display of frustration, hundreds of French wine producers took to the motorway at the Spanish border, blocking the path of lorries laden with Spanish cava juice.

The protest was to draw attention to the urgent need for government support against a wave of low-priced alcoholic beverages from abroad.

Pierre Hylari, President of the Young Farmers’ Association of the Pyrénées-Orientales, articulated the winegrowers’ pleas, stating, “Between foreign competition, the regulations imposed on us, and the historic drought threatening our harvest this year, we are appealing to the Minister of Agriculture to come to our rescue.”

A barrage of cheap foreign wine

In 2022, imports of wine products, primarily from Spain and Morocco, inundated the French market with over 6.5 million hectoliters of wine, often priced at half that of their French counterparts.

A staggering 65% of cheap foreign wine imports originate in Spain, with a considerable portion being sold in bulk at entry-level prices, offering Spanish bottles for just under €1 per liter compared to over €3 for locally-produced wines in southern France.

French wine producers’ demands

The demands of French wine producers are both audacious and comprehensive. Frédéric Rouanet, President of the Aude winegrowers’ union, conveyed their vision for government intervention, urging the introduction of a “Marshall Plan” for the winegrowing industry to steer it out of its current crisis.

Their demands include exemptions from charges, per-hectare aid, access to financial support from banks, irrigation possibilities, and any other measures that can rejuvenate their ailing industry.

On a broader scale, the Bordeaux winegrowers’ union has intensified its call to the European Commission to provide aid for uprooting vines, as the Commission possesses the authority to grant such assistance for restructuring vineyards.

The protest held at the Spanish border is just the prelude to what these passionate winegrowers are describing as an “economic war” they intend to wage. They have vowed to continue their battle for government support and are planning another major protest scheduled for November 25.

As the wine producers strive to protect their heritage and secure their future, their struggle continues to capture the world’s attention and spark a vibrant discourse on the future of French winemaking.