Bulgaria joins European 2012 grape crop trend as harvest drops 30%
Bulgaria’s 2012 grape harvest is coming in at 30 per cent less than last year, but with the promise of high-quality and high sugar grapes – a trend similar to that seen in a number of other European countries this year.
A number of European countries have seen their grape harvests affected by weather conditions ranging from longer-than-usual summer heat and in some cases even drought.
Some countries have hit record lows, with Italy reportedly bringing in its second-smallest harvest in 62 years and France producing its smallest grape harvest in 21 years.
Austria’s grape harvest is down by about 33 per cent, the result of harsh weather conditions, Portugal also is seeing a reduction, while German grape production is about the same as in 2011.
Bulgarian news agency BTA reported Krassimir Koev, head of Bulgaria’s Executive Agency on Vine and Wine, as saying that this year’s grape harvest was down by about 30 per cent, the result of the prolonged freezing weather conditions in the country in January 2012 combined with scorching high temperatures later in the year.
However, the grapes would be great-tasting but also would have higher purchase prices, Koev said.
(Photo: David Hart/sxc.hu)
