The French harvest is expected to reach a historic low in 2026

Decline in cultivated areas and above all the impact of drought and repeated heatwaves: the harvest in France is expected to decline again in 2026 and reach a historically low level. According to data made public on Monday September 7 by the statistics department of the Ministry of Agriculture (Agreste), wine production would amount to less than 34 million hectoliters, a drop of 6% compared to the small 2025 harvest.

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If these figures are confirmed, this would make it the lowest production since 1957, according to statistics from the International Wine Organization (OIV). L'Agreste evokes "one of the lowest harvests of the last 30 years".

“Strong regional disparities”

This harvest, however, remains "marked by strong regional disparities", notes the ministry service. In Champagne, the harvest, which started in mid-August, is expected to be reduced by half compared to 2025 (-48%) and the five-year average. The weight of the clusters has reached its lowest level in twenty years. Under the effect of hail, drought and heatwaves, Burgundy and Beaujolais are at this stage at -33%, with more than 50% losses for Burgundy Pinot Noir.

In the Loire Valley, the harvest would result in production at -12% compared to 2025 and -18% compared to the five-year average, with young vines, particularly in Loire-Atlantique, having particularly suffered. In Alsace, despite late rains, the drought limited the volume of berries, and the harvest will give a harvest 6% lower than that of 2025, already low. The Jura is -36% over one year.

The Bordeaux region is doing better

On the other hand, in Bordeaux, the precipitation at the end of August partly attenuated the effects of the heatwave and prolonged drought. Production should increase by 10% compared to the very low level of 2025. However, it should be well below the 2021-2025 average (-11%). Same trend in Languedoc-Roussillon: this year, despite a drop in production areas, the harvest there would be up 5% compared to the low 2025 harvest thanks to better yields.

Finally, in the South-East, despite promising initial potential, drought reduced the size of the berries, and hail in Vaucluse, Ardèche and Drôme increased the losses. Production is expected close to 2025 (+2%), below the five-year average (-8%).