France to uproot 28,000 hectares of vines
Nearly 6,000 winegrowers have applied for state aid as France reshapes its vineyard footprint in response to falling demand and climate strain.
France is preparing to remove around 28,000 hectares of vineyards under a state-backed programme aimed at rebalancing supply and demand, as reported by The Connexion. The initiative, administered by FranceAgriMer, has drawn approximately 5,800 applications from growers seeking financial support to uproot vines.
According to Jérôme Despey, president of the agency’s wine committee, the majority of requests originate in south-western regions including Gironde, Aude, Gard, Hérault, Pyrénées-Orientales and Gers. These applications largely concern red grape varieties, reflecting the category’s weakening market position.
Of the total area earmarked for removal, around 37% will be cleared entirely, with growers exiting wine production. The remaining 63% involves partial removal of vines more than 10 years old, allowing estates to adjust plantings and refine output.
Funding and framework
The programme is backed by €130 million in government funding, offering €4,000 per hectare removed, with all work to be completed by 31 December 2026, according to The Connexion.
This initiative follows a broader package approved by the European Parliament, which includes more flexible vineyard management rules and support for alcohol free wine production. A previous French scheme in 2024 allocated €110 million to similar efforts.
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Market pressures reshape production
The French wine sector continues to face a convergence of challenges, including climate volatility, evolving consumer behaviour and declining demand for red wine.
For some growers, uprooting represents a final step away from viticulture. Others may turn to alternative crops such as olives, pistachios or aloe vera, while older farmers may opt for retirement.
A longer-term contraction
As previously reported by the drinks business, France has been considering large-scale vineyard reductions for several years. Plans submitted to the European Commission in 2024 sought €120 million to remove 30,000 hectares, part of a wider ambition by the Ministry of Agriculture to eliminate up to 100,000 hectares over time.
According to figures from Conseil Interprofessionnel du Vin de Bordeaux, earlier schemes in Bordeaux have progressed more slowly than intended, with only around 3,000 hectares removed from a targeted 9,500.
FranceAgriMer data shows long-term consumption has fallen sharply, from 120 litres per person per year to around 40 litres over the past six decades, with red wine sales declining by 15% in the past three years alone.
These trends continue to shape policy as France adjusts its vineyard landscape to a markedly different market reality.
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