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

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

January 17, 2025

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.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

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.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Only 1% Of Cyprus Farms Use Precision Farming Technologies

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 24, 2026

Cyprus remains one of the European Union’s least digitised agricultural economies, with just 1% of farms using precision farming technologies in 2023, according to Eurostat.

The findings come as the EU continues to encourage the adoption of digital tools aimed at improving agricultural productivity, efficiency and sustainability.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

Internet Access Expands, But Digital Uptake Lags

Internet access has improved across the bloc, although adoption remains uneven. Eurostat found that 43% of EU farms had internet access in 2023, with northern and central European countries leading the way.

Denmark, Germany, Slovakia, Latvia, the Czech Republic and Austria all reported internet access rates above 90%.

Greater connectivity, however, has not translated into widespread digital adoption. Farm management information systems, which help farmers manage day-to-day operations, were used by only about 11% of EU farms. France was a notable exception, with around 60% of farms using the technology.

Precision Farming Concentrated In Larger Operations

Robotics adoption also remained relatively limited, with only about 7% of EU farms using robotic technologies. Overall, around 18% of farms with utilised agricultural area employed at least one precision farming technology or practice in 2023.

These included robotics for plant protection, band spraying, variable-rate application, precision crop monitoring and soil analysis. Despite representing fewer than one in five farms, these holdings accounted for around 44% of the EU’s utilised agricultural area.

The figures suggest that precision farming remains concentrated among larger agricultural businesses, where investment in digital technologies is typically easier to support.

Cyprus Lags Behind EU Leaders

Luxembourg, Finland and Estonia recorded the highest shares of utilised agricultural area managed by farms using precision farming technologies, each exceeding 75%.

At the other end of the ranking, Cyprus recorded just 1%, while Greece and Romania reported between 10% and 15%. The results indicate that Cyprus remains at an early stage of digital adoption in agriculture, even as precision farming becomes more widespread across parts of the European Union.

Breaking news