The threat of President Trump to impose 200% of customs rights to the EU alcohol is causing panic in the champagne industry already weakened in France.
The French industry of champagne He is preparing for a hard blow after the president of the United States, Donald Trumphave threatened to apply Customs tariffs of up to 200% to European alcoholIf the new 50% rates imposed by the EU do not rise Bourbon.
The United States is the main client of France with respect to champagne exports, with 25 million bottles sent through the Atlantic last year.
In 2024, France exported 3.8 billion euros and spirits to the United States, which represents a quarter of total exports.
The threat of Trump, in a rise in the transatlantic commercial war, is causing panic among those who work in the weakened champagne sector.
Champagne sales have decreased for more than two years, since consumers, tired of inflation, both in France and abroad, reduced their expenses due to the increase in prices.
The total number of champagne exports decreased almost 10% last year. In the country, the demand for drink also descended 8%.
Champagne alternatives are gaining popularity
The Champagne region is also fighting with climate change and extreme climatic phenomena, such as high heat and early frost.
This situation resulted in smaller crops for winemakers, further increasing the price of champagne.
It is a trend that Agnès Baracco, owner of a wine shop in the Northeast of Paris, has noticed in recent years: “Seeing champagne, but in the last two years, prices have increased a lot and customers are turning their backs,” he tells Euronews.
“When I opened the store, fifteen years ago, my cheaper champagne cost about 20 euros. Currently, seeing it at 27 euros, because I reduced my profit margin when I could sell it for more,” he explains.
Instead, he states that his clients turn to other bright alternatives, such as Vauvray Sparkling Wine, which is sold for about 10 euros.
“It’s my sales champion. And casually, it’s not expensive,” he exclaims.
Other more affordable alternatives, such as Prosecco Italian, the Digging Spanish and French foamy wines threaten the champagne sector, both in the local and international market.
Change time
According to Jean-Marie Cardenat, economist and specialist in the wine industry, the champagne industry needs a attention call.
“We may have to accept the fact that the champagne, which has come in the form of a monopoly for several decades, is no longer in this situation, or in the French market, with the emergence of the The cream isboth in the international market, with the Digging and the Prosecco To compete now with Champagne, “I told Euronews.”
ADVERTISINGAt the moment, both the EU and France do not seem to be willing to retire in the transatlantic commercial dispute.
The French Federation of Exporters of Spiritual Wines and Drinks said it was “fed up systematically” after the commercial war.
But French trade minister Laurent Saint-Martin said Thursday that his country “Ripine”: “We will not yell on threats and we will always protect our industries,” he said in a Publish no x.
