Argentina’s wine industry withers on the vine as consumption hits a record low
ABC News
Argentina’s wine industry, once a thriving business, is facing its worst crisis in more than 15 years, with record low domestic consumption and a drop in exports
BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Argentina’s once thriving wine industry is facing its worst crisis in more than 15 years, with record-low domestic consumption, dwindling exports and low-yielding crops.
Against this sobering reality, hundreds of wine enthusiasts still gathered last week in Mendoza, the heart of Argentina's wine region, to celebrate the annual National Wine Harvest Festival. Attendees watched dance performances, enjoyed live music and voted for the new queen of the Vend Imia festival.
The festival was marking its 90th year as domestic wine consumption in Argentina plummeted to an all-time low of 15.7 liters (4.1 gallons) per person in 2025, according to the National Institute of Viticulture, or INV. Compare that to 1970, when Argentines consumed as much as 90 liters (24 gallons) per person annually.
Furthermore, 1,100 vineyards have shut down across the country and 3,276 hectares (8095 acres) of grape production have vanished.
Fabián Ruggieri, president of the Argentine Wine Corp trade group, attributes the drop largely to a “sharp decline in purchasing power” that began in 2023. This trend, he said, is most acute among middle- and low-income consumers who traditionally consumed wine on a daily basis.
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