AUSTRALIA | Australian winegrape crush was up in 2025 after two record-low vintages, but still far below the long-term average.
The 2025 Australian winegrape crush is estimated to be 1.57 million tonnes, 160,000 tonnes (11 percent) more than the 2024 crush but still 140,000 tonnes below the 10-year average of 1.71 million tonnes, according to the National Vintage Report 2025, released by Wine Australia.
The smaller crush relative to the long-term average is likely to have been a result of both seasonal and strategic factors, with a decline in demand for wine globally driving adjustment in the Australian wine sector, according to Peter Bailey, Manager, Market Insights at Wine Australia.
“The 2025 crush equates to around 1.1 billion litres of wine, which is in line with current sales of Australian wine on domestic and export markets,” Bailey said.
The year-on-year increase in the crush was driven by red varieties, which were up by 20 percent, while the crush of white varieties was two percent higher than in 2024.
Despite the year-on-year increases, the crush of both red and white varieties was below the 10-year average.
“The crush of red grapes is still estimated to be the third-smallest in more than a decade (the past two years being the smallest) and was nine percent below its 10-year average, while the crush of white grapes was 8 per cent below the 10-year average,” Mr Bailey said.
However, he noted that the mix of red versus white was problematic.
“The significant increase in red varieties this year could exacerbate the challenges facing the sector in terms of excess stocks of red wine, and might further reduce demand for these varieties in the next vintage.”
The total value of the Australian winegrape crush in 2025 is estimated to be AUD 1.13 billion, an additional AUD 136 million (14 percent) compared with 2024.
The average purchase value for red and white grapes from cool/temperate regions both decreased, while there were increases in the average purchase value for both red and white grapes from warm inland regions.
Bailey said that despite the increases, the average purchase values for warm inland reds in the past two years were the lowest in over a decade, and for many growers would not be sufficient for production to be economically viable.
“Conditions are not likely to improve for red grapes until there is a significant reduction in the supply base,” Bailey said.
“The wine sector needs to continue to work together to bring supply and demand back into balance at a profitable price point for growers and winemakers.”
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