Champagne sales sink in 2024

Global champagne shipments from France fell over 9 percent in 2024, totaling 271 million bottles, marking the second consecutive year of decline as inflation-strained consumers cut back on purchases. The latest figures, released by Comité Champagne, underscores a challenging year for the industry, reflecting broader trends in alcoholic beverages sales.

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Global champagne shipments from France fell over 9 percent in 2024, totaling 271 million bottles, marking the second consecutive year of decline as inflation-strained consumers cut back on purchases. The latest figures, released by Comité Champagne, underscores a challenging year for the industry, reflecting broader trends in alcoholic beverages sales.

France’s domestic market dropped 7.2 percent compared to 2023, with shipments totaling 118.2 million bottles. The domestic decline is attributed to ongoing political and economic uncertainty. Exports, which make up 56.4 percent of the total sales, fell 10.8 percent to 153.2 million bottles, though they remain higher than domestic sales—a trend reversal seen in recent years.

Maxime Toubart, the president of Champagne Winegrowers and co-president of Comité Champagne, highlighted the challenging landscape, stating, “Champagne is a true barometer of consumer mood and this is no time for celebration, with inflation, conflicts around the world, economic uncertainty, and a political wait-and-see attitude in key markets like France and the United States.”

Meanwhile, David Chatillon, president of the Champagne Houses and co-president of Comité Champagne, expressed cautious optimism. “It’s in less favourable times that we need to prepare for the future, to maintain our trajectory in sustainable development and the conquest of new markets and consumers. Champagne’s solid, sustainable organisational model gives us confidence in the future,” he said.

Despite the decline, the industry remains resilient, with leaders focusing on long-term growth and sustainability to navigate these turbulent times.