The Union of Small Farmers and Ranchers (UPA) of Granada has warned that numerous wineries have reduced or halted grape purchases. Latest data from the Spanish Wine Interprofessional Organization (OIVE) shows wine consumption fell by 7.3% between January and May, equivalent to nearly 95 million fewer bottles on the market.
This trend has intensified in recent months, particularly affecting red and rosé wines with a 13% decrease, while white wines see a slight 1.5% growth. Granada's wineries are also experiencing this evolution.
In the province, a harvest of approximately three million kilograms of grapes is expected. However, the main concern is commercialization. UPA's general secretary, Nicolás Chica, warns that the issue is no longer the price, but that many farmers will not find buyers for their harvest.
Alberto García, a winegrower and owner of Bodega García Verdevique in the Sierra de la Contraviesa, confirms the general trend, noting that restaurant sales have declined while direct-to-consumer sales remain stable or are increasing. He attributes part of the problem to the rising cost of wine in hospitality.
The Sierra de la Contraviesa has seen its vineyard area shrink from 3,000 hectares in the 1990s to about 700-800 currently, due to cultivation difficulties and competition from large producing regions. Some wineries are seeking differentiation with native grape varieties, but the sector agrees this strategy alone will not resolve the crisis.
