Wine Australia has unveiled its National Vintage Report 2024, highlighting a nine percent increase in the Australian winegrape crush compared to the previous year, reaching an estimated 1.43 million tonnes. Despite this rise, the figure remains notably below the 10-year average of 1.73 million tonnes.
Peter Bailey, Wine Australia’s Manager of Market Insights, noted a concerning trend of declining winegrape crushes over recent years, with three out of the past five vintages falling below the decade-long average. He emphasized that while the vineyard area has not significantly decreased, active yield management is crucial to potentially achieve larger crops.
This year’s report detailed a significant increase in white winegrape varieties, totaling 722,000 tonnes—an uptick driven by a 19 percent rise, yet still marking the second smallest white wine crush in 17 years and ten percent below the 10-year average. Conversely, red grape crushes declined to 705,000 tonnes, the lowest since the drought-impacted vintage of 2007, with Shiraz notably decreasing by 14 percent to 298,000 tonnes, its smallest crush since the same year.
Chardonnay emerged as the largest variety by crush size for the first time, surging 31 percent to 333,000 tonnes. South Australia continued to dominate the national crush share at 49 percent, despite a four percent decrease, while Tasmania notably increased its crush by 42 percent to a record estimated 16,702 tonnes.
The overall value of the 2024 crush is estimated at $1.01 billion, a two percent increase from the previous year, albeit with a decline in average value per tonne to $613, down from $642. Bailey attributed this decrease to lower average grape prices from warm inland regions, coupled with an increased tonnage share from these areas.
Bailey emphasized the importance for growers to analyze regional and varietal price dynamics closely, amidst ongoing price declines in major inland varieties. He underscored the sector’s need for a comprehensive vineyard register framework, supported by the recent Australian Government’s Grape and Wine Sector Long-term Viability Support Package, to enhance understanding and planning for future grape production.
The National Vintage Report 2024 underscores both challenges and opportunities for the Australian wine industry, highlighting the need for strategic management amid fluctuating global demand and market conditions.
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