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Cheers To 2025? Sparkling Wine Production And Exports In The EU Decline By 8%

As the New Year has already passed, many had eagerly anticipated a glass of bubbly to ring in the celebrations. However, this year, fewer bottles were available for toast, as production and exports of sparkling wine from the EU saw a sharp decline in 2023 due to the impact of extreme weather on vineyards.

According to the latest Eurostat data, the EU produced 1.496 billion litres of sparkling wine in 2023, a decrease of 8% compared to the previous year. Italy remained the leader in production, contributing 638 million litres, followed by France with 312 million litres and Germany with 263 million litres.

In terms of exports, the EU shipped 600 million litres of sparkling wine to non-EU countries in 2023, marking another 8% drop. Italy’s Prosecco claimed the top spot in exports, representing nearly half of the total, while French Champagne followed at 15%, Spanish Cava at 10%, and sparkling wines from fresh grapes at 17%.

Climate Change’s Role In Production Decline

One of the key factors behind the production slump is the changing climate. Heavy rains, droughts, and storms, all exacerbated by climate change, are having a direct impact on vineyards, altering the taste of wine and, in some cases, threatening the very existence of certain varieties.

In Italy, extreme weather events and soil degradation have led to reduced grape yields, endangering Prosecco production, which is expected to decline by up to 20%. Similarly, Spain’s Cava is facing challenges from severe droughts, particularly in Catalonia, where many villages depend on water-intensive viticulture. Despite hopes that 2025 will bring more rainfall, major producers are urging the Spanish government to adopt irrigation solutions and other measures to address the growing threat of water shortages.

In response to the region’s chronic water shortages, Catalonia’s regional government has unveiled a €2.3 billion investment plan, set to span until 2040. The plan includes a €200 million seawater desalination plant on the Costa Brava, but financial backing from the Spanish government will be crucial for its success.

Elevating Infant Nutrition: Nara Organics Unveils Premium Organic Formula

The Origins Of A Vision

When Esther Hallam welcomed her daughter Nara into the world, she immediately confronted a formidable challenge: identifying a trustworthy, high-quality organic infant formula. In a U.S. market dominated by cost-cutting practices—such as the use of skim milk supplemented with oils to meet nutritional standards—Hallam observed a disconnect between established availability and uncompromised quality. Research linking corn syrup to obesity and palm oil to reduced calcium absorption only reinforced her resolve to seek a safer alternative.

Redefining Industry Standards

Frustrated by the limitations of existing options, Hallam devoted seven years to developing an organic, whole-milk formula with the expertise of leading scientists and pediatric nutritionists. Nara Organics distinguishes itself by offering the highest percentage of milk fat of any formula on the U.S. market and a significantly reduced reliance on plant-based oils. The carefully selected blend of organic sunflower, coconut, and rapeseed oils not only meets nutritional needs but also minimizes potential health risks inherent to additives like palm oil, soy, and corn syrup.

Manufacturing Excellence In Germany

Rather than manufacturing domestically—a decision influenced by previous concerns over Cronobacter contamination in American facilities—Nara Organics leverages the advanced, oxygen-controlled production environment of a German facility, widely regarded as the birthplace of powdered infant formula. Chief Marketing Officer Meika Hollender detailed that their unique manufacturing process, which minimizes oxygen exposure during can sealing, substantially extends shelf life and preserves formula integrity, setting a new standard in infant nutrition.

Strategic Investment And Market Impact

Backed by $32 million from prominent investors including AlleyCorp, BBG Ventures, Corazon Ventures, Gingerbread Capital, and Torch Capital, Nara Organics has also garnered support from high-profile celebrity investors such as Serena Williams, Gina Rodriguez, and Nicky Hilton. This robust investment positions the company at the vanguard of an organic infant formula market projected to grow from $20.7 billion in 2023 to $37 billion by 2032.

Enhancing Consumer Accessibility And Community Commitment

Nara Organics is available for purchase directly via its website, subscription models, and a dedicated mobile app that assists parents in tracking essential aspects of infant care. To underscore its commitment to community well-being, the company is donating over 1,400 cans of formula to the Good+ Foundation, which strives to alleviate multi-generational poverty by providing essential services to under-resourced families.

By merging state-of-the-art production with a commitment to organic, high-quality ingredients, Nara Organics is poised to redefine the benchmarks of infant nutrition in a competitive, evolving market.

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