Protesters at a winegrowers’ demonstration in the southern French city of Béziers on November 15, 2025. “The Republic kills winegrowing,” says the sign. MANON CRUZ/REUTERS
After the large protest by crisis-hit winegrowers in the southern French city of Béziers on Saturday, November 15, Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard knew she was under scrutiny. Her every move was being watched, especially since she had agreed to inaugurate a major industry event – the International Trade Show for Vineyard and Wine Production Equipment and Know-How in the nearby regional capital of Montpellier on Tuesday, November 25, the opening day of the professional fair, which will run until Thursday, November 27. On the eve of the event, Genevard arranged a meeting with representatives of the wine industry at the regional prefecture. The goal: to address their demand for a new support plan, including a highly anticipated €200 million package.
After internal discussions – and despite a tight and pending budget – the government said it was already prepared to release €130 million to fund “a national crisis exit plan.” These funds are intended to support “a new permanent uprooting plan requested by the wine sector. This effort aims to rebalance supply and restore the viability of struggling operations in the most vulnerable regions,” the Ministry of Agriculture stated in a press release.
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