Wine and must production in Germany declined 9.8% year on year to 7.75 million hectolitres in 2024, according to the latest data from the Federal Statistical Office (Statistisches Bundesamt).
This output was 12% lower than the six-year average from 2018 to 2023, marking the third-lowest production level in the past 15 years.
Adverse weather conditions, including a wet spring that exacerbated fungal diseases, and extreme events, such as late frosts, hail, and storms, were major factors behind the decline.
The production comprised 69.4% white wine and 30.6% red wine, including rosé and Rotling.
When converted to standard 0.75-litre bottles, the total output equates to approximately one billion bottles.
Regional Breakdown
The majority of German wine production in 2024 came from Rheinhessen and the Pfalz, the two largest wine-growing regions.
Together, these regions accounted for over 54.5% of the total yield, producing 2.44 million and 1.78 million hectolitres, respectively.
The Mosel region followed with 1.14 million hectolitres, significantly influenced by large trade wineries that process grapes from other regions. Baden ranked fourth with 954,600 hectolitres.
Despite the stability in Rheinhessen and Pfalz, where production increased slightly by 0.4%, all other regions saw declines compared to the previous year.
The most substantial reductions were in Baden (25.1%), Württemberg (18.5%), Franken (26.5%), and the Mosel (7.9%).
Smaller regions, including Sachsen, Saale-Unstrut, and the Ahr, experienced particularly steep percentage declines of 68.9%, 63.8%, and 54.5%, respectively.
Shift In Wine Categories
The share of premium wines (Prädikatswein) decreased significantly to 16.1% of total production in 2024, compared to 23.7% in 2023.
The production of Qualitätswein, the largest category, accounted for 77.6% of the total.
Other categories included Landwein at 4.4%, while smaller contributions came from Rebsortenwein, and other wines without protected geographical designations.