French winemakers 'battle for survival' as minister prepares for crisis talks

French winemakers are bracing for their final showdown with a government that has been accused of ignoring their pleas for help. With the country's flagship industry on the brink of collapse, France is facing an uncertain future in its battle to save the wine business.

According to Jean-Marie Fabre, president of the independent winemakers' syndicate, his fellow vintners are putting everything they have into a desperate bid to stay afloat. The situation is dire, with some 20% of French winegrowers considering shutting their businesses, which would lead to the loss of up to 100,000 jobs.

The crisis has been fueled by a perfect storm of bad weather, tariffs, and a slump in sales both at home and abroad. The recent heatwaves and droughts have decimated harvests, while the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict has increased costs by a third. To make matters worse, China's customs tax on imports of wine-based spirits from the EU has risen to 32.2%, crippling exports.

Bordeaux's grand cru wine exports to China have fallen to their lowest in a decade, with Beijing imposing harsh penalties that have left only three major French companies exempt. In France, vineyards are being ripped up and vines destroyed under government-backed schemes aimed at reducing production, but Fabre claims the money provided will be insufficient to make a difference.

The National Association for Agriculture Employment and Training has described the wine industry as a "pillar of the economy" that provides over 440,000 jobs. With its €92bn turnover annually, it is one of France's three main industrial sectors, directly or indirectly employing millions of people. But with a long list of challenges on its doorstep, Fabre warns of an uncertain future for French winegrowers if the government fails to act.

In a last-ditch attempt to prevent disaster, Fabre is calling on the agriculture minister, Annie Genevard, to convene a crisis meeting at the ministry to discuss emergency measures. The fate of France's wine industry hangs in the balance as the government scrambles to respond to the growing crisis that threatens to destroy it.

I mean, come on ! 20% of winemakers shutting down? That's not a crisis, that's a bloody catastrophe ! We're talking about 100k jobs lost here . What's the government gonna do? Just sit there and watch their economy die because of some bureaucratic mess? I'm not buying it. The EU needs to step in and help these guys out, or at least give 'em some decent tariffs to deal with those dodgy Chinese customs taxes . France's wine industry is a huge part of its identity, let alone the economy . We can't just cut off our nose to spite our face here ...

omg i'm literally so worried about france wine is like their thing and they're basically begging for help but meanwhile the gov is all like "nah we gotchu" like what even is a third of more costs on exports and china just raised the customs tax to 32.2%??? that's wild anyway i feel bad for all those winegrowers who are about to lose their businesses it's not fair at all

I'm like totally stoked about this whole French wine thing, but at the same time, I'm super worried. Like, have you seen those numbers? 20% of winemakers shutting down? That's crazy talk! I know they've been having a rough time with the weather and all, but c'mon, can't they do something to help it out?

I mean, €92bn turnover is no joke. That's like, a lot of money. And it's not just about the jobs, it's about the whole industry. They're talking about vineyards being ripped up and vines destroyed... that's like, environmental disaster.

Fabre's right, though. The government needs to step in here. I don't care if it's a "perfect storm" of problems or whatever, they need to find a solution. Like, can't they just have a crisis meeting and come up with some emergency measures? It's not like this is the end of the world... right?

I'm so frustrated with this gov they're not taking the wine industry seriously enough! It's like, I get that there are problems, but 20% of winemakers shutting down is a big deal . And what really gets me is that they're just ripping up vineyards instead of finding solutions . Like, where's the plan to increase sales or reduce costs? It's not like it's going to be easy to fix this overnight . Fabre's got some good points, but I think the gov needs to step up their game and get serious about supporting the industry . We need emergency measures, not just token gestures . The economy is counting on it, and so are those 100k+ jobs

Can you imagine the French winegrowers having a vineyard crisis support group like AA for wine ? "Hi, my name is Pierre and I'm an alcoholic grape". Anyway, this situation is super serious though... the EU's wine business is like a big ol' family in trouble . If the government doesn't do something soon, it'll be like "C'est la vie" for those 100k jobs . I mean, who needs wine when you have, like, actual problems to solve?

I'm really worried about the French wine industry . It's like, the government is doing everything wrong and it's gonna have serious consequences for the people who work there . I mean, 20% of winemakers considering shutting down? That's crazy! And the worst part is that some big companies are getting all the exemptions while everyone else is stuck with huge tariffs and customs taxes... it's just not fair .

I think the government needs to step up and help these guys out ASAP . I'm talking emergency funding, support for sustainable farming practices, the whole shebang . It's not like they're asking for a handout or anything; they just need some help staying afloat during this crazy weather and market shift .

And can we talk about how many jobs are at risk here? 440,000 people depend on this industry . That's a huge chunk of the French economy, so it's gotta be taken seriously . Let's hope someone in charge listens to Fabre and gets things sorted out soon

This is getting serious , folks! I mean, we're not just talking about a recession here, we're talking about the backbone of French economy on the line . It's like they say, "You can't tax your way out of trouble," but in this case, it feels like that's exactly what the government is trying to do . I'm all for supporting our winegrowers, but we need to be careful not to make things worse by throwing more money at the problem without a solid plan in place . And what's with these EU policies? It's like they're strangling their own industries and expecting them to thrive . I think it's time for some real leadership from our agriculture minister, Annie Genevard - we need a crisis meeting ASAP!

man this is crazy french winemakers are literally fighting for their lives and no one is doing anything about it its like they're asking the gov to step in and help but nobody's listening 20% of winegrowers considering shutting down is insane that would be a huge blow not just to the industry but to the whole economy too i feel bad for jean-marie fabre he's trying his best to save the situation but its hard when no one's giving him the support he needs whats going on in france is heartbreaking

I'm like totally worried about the French wine industry . It's not just the winegrowers who are gonna lose their jobs, but also all the people who depend on them. I mean, 100,000 job losses is a huge deal . And it's not just that, the whole economy is gonna suffer because of it. The government needs to step in and help ASAP .

I don't get why they're being so slow about this, though . There are like, millions of people counting on them for their livelihoods. I think Fabre is right, €92bn isn't enough money to save the industry . They need to come up with a solid plan to support the winegrowers and get the industry back on track .

It's not just about the wine, though – it's about the whole country's economy . France relies heavily on its wine industry, so if that fails, they'll be in big trouble . I hope the government takes this seriously and starts making some changes soon . The future of French wine is at stake

oh my god, france is literally dying from droughts and war and tariffs 20% of winemakers are considering shutting down their businesses which is like, what even is that? all those jobs are at stake and the government is just sitting there like "oh wait, maybe we should do something" come on france needs to save its wine industry ASAP it's not just a matter of money but people's livelihoods too what's up with china's customs tax tho? 32.2% is crazy can't they just chill?

I'm literally worried about the future of French wine . It's crazy to think that 20% of winegrowers are considering shutting down their businesses, and that's gonna lead to losing up to 100k jobs . The perfect storm of bad weather, tariffs, and slump in sales is already taking its toll on them.

And what's with the EU-China customs tax ? It's like they're suffocating the industry under a ton of red tape. I get that trade wars are tough, but come on . The government needs to step up and provide some serious support to these farmers. €92bn is a lot of euros, so let's see some action .

I feel for Jean-Marie Fabre, the president of the independent winemakers' syndicate . He's doing everything he can to keep his fellow vintners afloat, but it's tough when the government isn't taking this seriously enough .

Bordeaux's wine exports to China have taken a huge hit , and if Beijing doesn't ease up on those penalties, I'm not sure how long the industry can survive. It's time for Annie Genevard to take action and convene that crisis meeting ASAP . The future of French wine is too important to ignore

man... french wine business is literally on its last breath 20% of winegrowers gonna shut down, that's like a whole lotta grape juice lost and with china's customs tax rising to 32.2%, it's like they're strangling the industry itself . Bordeaux's exports are tanking, vineyards are getting ripped up... it's like the government is just not feeling it . fabre's right tho, €92bn turnover is huge, but it's not enough if the gov's not backing them up . they need to convene a crisis meeting stat! 100k jobs are on the line here... can't let that happen

OH MY GOSH, IT'S LIKE FRENCH WINEMAKERS ARE PUTTING ALL THEIR EGGS IN ONE BASKET HERE!! THEY'RE FACING THIS MASSIVE CRISIS WITH BAD WEATHER, TARIFFS, AND CHINA'S CUSTOMS TAXES AND IT'S JUST GETTING WORSE BY THE DAY!!! I MEAN, 20% OF WINEMAKERS CONSIDERING SHUTTING DOWN IS CRAZY TALK! THE GOVERNMENT NEEDS TO STEP IN HERE WITH SOME REAL HELP, LIKE WE ALL KNEW THEY HAD IT IN THEM THOSE THREE MAJOR FRENCH COMPANIES EXEMPT FROM CHINA'S PENALTIES SHOULD BE A GOOD STARTER POINT, BUT SERIOUSLY, €92BN IS A LOT OF MONEY AND I EXPECT THEM TO DO BETTER THAN JUST WAITING FOR THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT!

aww man... thinkin bout all those winegrowers losin their livelihoods its like, super heartbreaking to see somethin that's been passed down thru generations gettin wiped out. 20% of 'em considerin shuttin down, thats a lotta people who'll be affected by this crisis. and the gov't is just sittin there... i mean, we all know they got some say in how things go down but it feels like they're not doin enuf to help these guys out. its time for a crisis meetin ASAP!

I mean, what's up with this? One sec, I'm all for the gov't helpin' out the wine folks, but at the same time, like, can't they see how much the industry is sufferin'? It's a total mess, fam The EU customs tax on imports? 32.2%?! That's wild, right? But then again, if the gov't just gives 'em a handout and everything's good to go... I don't know, man. I think we need some solid solutions, like actual investment in sustainability or somethin', but at the same time, don't wanna see all those jobs lost 100,000 people outta work? That's, like, a total disaster, yo! Bordeaux's grand cru wine exports to China have fallen to their lowest in a decade... that's just harsh, you feel me? So yeah, I'm torn, bro. Can't make up my mind

I'm really worried about this... Like, how can the gov't just ignore their pleas and keep doing nothing? 20% of winegrowers quitting their businesses? That's insane! And the jobs lost? Up to 100k? That's a huge hit to the economy. I'm no expert but it seems like they're being really harsh on French winemakers with these customs taxes and tariffs. I mean, China's tax on EU imports is already high enough, do they have to keep raising it? And what's with the government-backed schemes to reduce production? That just sounds like more bad news for the industry. We need some real solutions here... where are the stats on the €92bn turnover annually? How did that number come about? And what kind of emergency measures is Fabre calling for? Need more transparency, imo

This is getting super dire . I mean, 20% of French winemakers shutting down? That's a huge chunk. And the numbers on jobs... 100k+? Unbelievable. I'm surprised more people aren't talking about this. I've got some mates who own vineyards and they're already feeling the pinch. The tariffs and droughts have been killing it for them. And now China's raising their custom tax by like, a third? It's just too much.

I think Fabre's right to be pushing for that crisis meeting. Something needs to be done pronto. The government's gotta step in here because this isn't just about the wine industry - it's about all those people who depend on it. We should be seeing some kind of emergency package or something, not just empty promises and vague words.

It's also got me thinking... what happens if France loses its grip on wine? It's like, a part of who they are, you know? And the thought of all that history and tradition just... lost. That's not a future I want to see.

OMG u guys ! This wine crisis in France is SOOO serious ! With 20% of winemakers considering shutting their businesses, it's like, a whole lotta jobs are on the line ! And it's not just that - we're talkin' €92bn turnover annually here... that's like, a huge chunk of France's economy ! Tariffs, droughts, and bad weather are all takin' their toll, and now China's customs tax is even higher . It's like, the perfect storm, fam! And with only 3 major French companies exempt from Beijing's harsh penalties... it's a dark time for French wine lovers . We gotta keep an eye on this situation and hope our gov't comes through with some emergency support #WineCrisis #FranceInPeril #SaveTheVineyards

Ugh, can't believe we're seeing this with our own eyes ... I mean, 20% of French winemakers shutting down is crazy talk! What's going on over there? First, they have bad weather, then tariffs, and now China's customs tax is through the roof . It's like they're intentionally trying to crush the industry. And what's with the government backing these vineyard-ripping schemes? I just don't get it... it seems like a classic case of "let them burn". The wine industry is massive, employing millions of people and generating €92 billion in revenue each year . But no, the government can't even get that right . Fabre's desperation call for a crisis meeting is long overdue, I reckon... fingers crossed someone listens this time