Champagne sales show no signs of recovery as the region enters 2026, according to forecasts from leading producers and industry bodies.
After three consecutive years of declining shipments, Champagne closed 2025 with a further 2% drop, totaling 266 million bottles—the lowest level in two decades outside the pandemic year of 2020.
The decline from the recent peak of 326 million bottles in 2022 has been steep, with the region losing 55 million bottles in just two years. Laurent d'Harcourt, president of Champagne Pol Roger, noted that the goal for 2026 is to maintain current levels, aiming to approach the 270 million bottles of this sparkling wine recorded in 2024. He stressed that, despite the rapid decline, the sector has performed better than many other segments of the beverage market.
Charles-Armand de Belenet, CEO of Champagne Bollinger, echoed this cautious outlook, stating that no overall recovery is expected for 2026. While stock levels remain lower than last year, helping prevent further sharp declines, challenges such as high production costs, strong exchange rates, and uncertain international market conditions continue to weigh on the industry. The euro’s strength against key currencies, including the US dollar, Japanese yen, Australian dollar, and British pound, forces producers to raise prices in critical export markets.
Inflation, geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the high cost of grapes—already reflected in the 2021 and 2022 vintages—add further pressure. According to de Belenet, these factors make it unlikely that Champagne will experience a meaningful rebound this year, highlighting the need for targeted strategies to stabilize the market.
David Chatillon, co-president of the Comité Champagne and president of the Union de Maisons de Champagne, also emphasized caution. While slight shipment increases may be possible, a significant rise remains unlikely. Traditional targets of 300 million bottles globally are unlikely to be met for at least three to five years, given the slow and costly process of opening new international markets and negotiating trade agreements.
Mature markets like the United States—the largest export destination—are also expected to face limited consumption growth, with price increases potentially reaching 25% due to tariffs and exchange rate effects. Michel Drappier of Champagne Drappier suggested that improving accessibility for average consumers could help reach the 300 million bottle target faster. However, maintaining the current strategy of exclusivity may extend the timeline considerably.
The Champagne industry enters 2026 with caution, navigating a challenging mix of economic, commercial, and geopolitical factors that continue to limit the region’s prospects for recovery.
Source: Vinetur
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