The French wine and spirits sector has been going through a turbulent period. Amid ongoing trade tensions with the United States and China, it has faced a drop in exports. After declines in 2023 and 2024, the 2025 results have proven even more bitter. According to figures published Tuesday, February 10, by the French Federation of Wine and Spirits Exporters (FEVS), exports of wine, champagne and cognac fell by 8% in value year-on-year, to €14.3 billion. Volumes also dropped by 3.3%.
The FEVS emphasized that, despite this slowdown, the sector still posted a trade surplus of €13.2 billion, though it was down 7.6% from the previous year. This decrease, estimated at €1.1 billion, contributed to the slump in the French agri-food trade balance, which stood at €200 million in 2025, its lowest level in more than 25 years.
The hardest blow was felt on the American market, as Donald Trump has made French wines and spirits one of his favorite targets. His return to the White House alarmed industry stakeholders, who were shaken by the tariffs imposed on French wine imports during his previous term. As soon as he took office, Trump immediately launched a fierce trade war, even threatening tariffs as high as 200%. In the end, the pressure eased somewhat, with a 10% tariff set from April 2025 on wines and spirits entering the US. The rate was raised in August and now stands at 15%.
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