WINE MARKET IN THE E.U. COUNTRIES

Agatha Popescu

KEY WORDS: wine market, European Union 15

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to present an analyze of wine market in the E.U countries during the period 1999-2003. The vineyards cover  3.28 million ha, of which 35.82 % are in Spain, 26.21 % are in France, 25.21 % are in Italy, 6.64 % are in Portugal. The average grape production for wine is 73.4 q/ha, by 11.68 % less than in the year 1999. The highest grape production was recorded in Germany 163.6 q/ha, in the year 1999. Around 24,156 thousand tons grapes were destined for producing around 160 million hl wine in 2003. France, Italy and Spain achieved  together 85.42 % of the total wine production in the E.U. 15. Wine consumption represents around 80 % of total utilized production and the average wine consumption is 32 l /inhabitant. As the own production covers just 80 % of consumers’ needs, around 40,400 thousand hl wines are annually imported. Also the EU 15 exported 46.844 thousand hl wine in 2002, to which France and Italy contribute by 66 % and on the 3^rd position comes Spain. Romania’s entry into the E.U. is an opportunity for developing wine business sector and extend wine market as long as Romania has a high potential for producing high quality wines.