Some markets active amid persistent global weakness
Three bulk wine markets – France, Italy and Chile – entered November having experienced good activity levels through October. “Activity” is the key word: sample requests and price discussions have constituted most of the activity in southern France; actual transactions have been limited. Likewise, a steady stream of enquiries into Chile’s remaining 2025-vintage supplies, and its prospects for 2026, have outnumbered transactions. But there have been good transaction levels in Italy, as it has become clear all of Europe’s three major harvests came in short of their five-year averages.
This month’s Global Market Report provides information on what Italian wines transactions have been occurring, which 2025 wines are being released early to bridge a supply gap, and what 2025-vintage stocks Chile still possesses. The latest prices on all these items, as well as France’s new 2025-vintage pricing, will appear in this month’s Global Pricing Grid, arriving into your email inbox soon.
The aforementioned activity levels come as a reassurance after a third quarter of the year that was even quieter than is typical when the Northern Hemisphere is holidaying and harvesting, following an already quiet opening six months of 2025. With the major consumption markets of North America and Europe still soft, China not the bulk buyer it once was, and some micro- and macro-economic uncertainty around, the industry is finding it hard to come by cashflow and financial distress is widespread.
The 17th annual edition of the World Bulk Wine Exhibition – in Amsterdam on 24-25th November – is going to be a well-timed barometer of industry mood, activity and buyer need. Last year, the WBWE hosted exhibitors from 25 producer countries and received footfall from 70 nations. Ciatti brokers will be out in force and on the Ciatti stand, D32/34 in Hall 5, and look forward to seeing you. To set up a meeting in advance, check out our contacts page here.
In the meantime, there continues be a number of outstanding buying opportunities on the bulk market, in terms of price-quality ratio and/or volume; plenty have the potential to be multi-year. From a supplier’s standpoint, there is buyer demand on a range of wines – especially whites – so suppliers should ensure their wines are listed with us.
For information on these buying/selling opportunities and more, paying and complimentary subscribers can read the full Ciatti Global Market Report for November on substack.
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updates on price trends, vineyard conditions, harvests, currencies, and local and international economic developments that could affect the bulk wine market, such as tariffs, FTAs and shipping;
the monthly Global Pricing Grid, with the latest bulk wine pricing from each country in local currencies and US dollars;
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