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Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trump's tariffs threaten to take the fizz out of Champagne's crucial US market
Champagne producers in northeastern France need to find new markets after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened 30 per cent tariffs on EU exports, the chairman of a French industry group said, suggesting Brazil, Southeast Asia and South Africa as options. The U.S. is the biggest market for champagne with 10 per cent of champagne exports by volume and 15 per cent by value and producers say the tariffs will push up prices for consumers and threaten jobs all along the supply chain, including in the United States. "The repercussions for all family champagne exports will be severe because it will mean lost income from bottle sales, which will also affect the grape harvest quotas we will be allowed to collect," said Stephane Vignon , whose family has been producing Champagne in Verzenay since 1946. With 70 per cent of champagne sales currently concentrated in just five countries, tariffs should push producers to seek new markets, said Maxime Toubart, chairman of industry group Comite Champagne (Champagne Committee). He said France's cognac industry , which is mainly reliant on exports to China and the U.S. where it could also face duties, provides a cautionary tale for champagne producers on the need to diversify. But replacing U.S. sales is not easy, he said. "We can't just say we'll sell three million fewer bottles in the U.S. and put them in Japan instead. So actually, there is no alternative today to this fall in volume," he said. Total champagne exports fell more than 10 per cent last year but rose slightly in the first four months of 2025 ahead of a 10 per cent tariff in April, farm office FranceAgriMer said. "If tomorrow the 30 per cent tariff is implemented, I think it will definitely impact the relationship," said Hugo Drappier of the Drappier Champagne house. "We've always managed to build a relationship of trust with our clients through the quality of our wines ... Let's hope that relationship isn't broken."
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Trump's tariffs threaten to take the fizz out of Champagne's crucial US market
Live Events VERZENAY: Champagne producers in northeastern France need to find new markets after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened 30% tariffs on EU exports, the chairman of a French industry group said, suggesting Brazil, Southeast Asia and South Africa as options. The U.S. is the biggest market for champagne with 10% of champagne exports by volume and 15% by value and producers say the tariffs will push up prices for consumers and threaten jobs all along the supply chain, including in the United States."The repercussions for all family champagne exports will be severe because it will mean lost income from bottle sales, which will also affect the grape harvest quotas we will be allowed to collect," said Stephane Vignon , whose family has been producing Champagne in Verzenay since 70% of champagne sales currently concentrated in just five countries, tariffs should push producers to seek new markets, said Maxime Toubart, chairman of industry group Comite Champagne (Champagne Committee).He said France's cognac industry , which is mainly reliant on exports to China and the U.S. where it could also face duties, provides a cautionary tale for champagne producers on the need to replacing U.S. sales is not easy, he said."We can't just say we'll sell three million fewer bottles in the U.S. and put them in Japan instead. So actually, there is no alternative today to this fall in volume," he said. Total champagne exports fell more than 10% last year but rose slightly in the first four months of 2025 ahead of a 10% tariff in April, farm office FranceAgriMer said."If tomorrow the 30% tariff is implemented, I think it will definitely impact the relationship," said Hugo Drappier of the Drappier Champagne house. "We've always managed to build a relationship of trust with our clients through the quality of our wines ... Let's hope that relationship isn't broken."
Straits Times
20-06-2025
- Straits Times
French champagne makers face human trafficking trial
LILLE, France - Three French employers in the champagne sector will go on trial on Thursday accused of human trafficking, exploiting and housing seasonal workers in appalling conditions, during grape picking in eastern France in 2023. Around 50 migrant harvesters were living in accommodation which harmed their 'security, health and dignity', according to investigators. The Chalons-en-Champagne criminal court in eastern France will judge the three defendants for their suspected mistreatment of the workers from Mali, Mauritania, Ivory Coast and Senegal. A woman, director of the viticultural servicing company Anavim, will be tried on charges of human trafficking, submitting vulnerable or dependent persons to undignified housing conditions and employment of foreign nationals without authorisation. Both Anavim, the company that provided the housing, and a viticultural cooperative in the Marne will be tried as moral parties by the court. Two men will also be judged on suspicion of employing the seasonal workers. After a neighbour alerted the French police, investigators inspected the living conditions of the harvesters, according to prosecutor Annick Browne. The housing in the village of Nesle-le-Repons contained 'worn and dirty sanitation facilities', outdoor kitchen and living areas that were unprotected from the weather and bedding strewn on the floor. The accommodation also failed to respect electrical 'security measures,' the prosecutor said at a press conference on June 16. In September 2023, the Marne regional authorities had ordered the closure of the accommodation provided by Anavim, citing 'unsanitary' and 'undignified' living conditions. According to a report conducted by the labour inspectorate, the accommodation was in a state of 'dilapidation', and the toilets and shared living spaces were 'disgusting' due to lack of cleaning, said the authorities. The defendants 'have a total contempt' and disrespect for 'human dignity,' said the lawyer of the victims, Mr Maxime Cessieux. The Champagne Committee, which represents 16,200 winemakers, 130 cooperatives and 370 champagne houses, will participate as a civil party in the trial – a first for legal proceedings concerning the living conditions of seasonal workers. The committee is 'firmly opposed to these unacceptable practices,' said director Charles Goemaere in a statement in March. 120,000 seasonal workers Every year, around 120,000 seasonal workers are brought in the region to handpick grapes grown across 34,000 hectares and used to make its iconic bubbly. The famed winemakers' reputation took a hit in 2023. Four grape harvesters in the region died that year, and were believed to have suffered sunstroke after working in scorching heat. 'The public should be made aware of the extent of human trafficking in the agricultural sector, and producers should know that they may face legal procedures,' said Mr David Desgranges, vice-president of the Committee Against Modern Slavery (CCEM). French law defines human trafficking as 'recruiting, transporting, transferring, housing or receiving a person to exploit them,' by means of coerced employment, abusing a position of authority, abusing a vulnerable situation or in exchange of payment or benefits. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Local France
19-06-2025
- Local France
French champagne makers face human trafficking trial
Around 50 migrant harvesters were living in accommodation which harmed their 'security, health and dignity', according to investigators. The Chalons-en-Champagne criminal court in eastern France will judge the three defendants for their suspected mistreatment of the workers from Mali, Mauritania, Ivory Coast and Senegal. A woman, director of the viticultural servicing company Anavim, will be tried on charges of human trafficking, submitting vulnerable or dependent persons to undignified housing conditions and employment of foreign nationals without authorisation. Both Anavim, the company that provided the housing, and a viticultural cooperative in the Marne will be tried as moral parties by the court. Two men will also be judged on suspicion of employing the seasonal workers. After a neighbour alerted the French police, investigators inspected the living conditions of the harvesters, according to prosecutor Annick Browne. The housing in the village of Nesle-le-Repons contained 'worn and dirty sanitation facilities', outdoor kitchen and living areas that were unprotected from the weather and bedding strewn on the floor. The accommodation also failed to respect electrical security measures, the prosecutor said at a press conference on Monday. In September 2023, the Marne regional authorities had ordered the closure of the accommodation provided by Anavim, citing 'unsanitary' and 'undignified' living conditions. According to a report conducted by the labour inspectorate, the accommodation was in a state of 'dilapidation', and the toilets and shared living spaces were 'disgusting' due to lack of cleaning, said the authorities. Advertisement The defendants 'have a total contempt' and disrespect for 'human dignity', said the lawyer of the victims, Maxime Cessieux. The Champagne Committee, which represents 16,200 winemakers, 130 cooperatives and 370 champagne houses, will participate as a civil party in the trial – a first for legal proceedings concerning the living conditions of seasonal workers. The committee is 'firmly opposed to these unacceptable practices', said director Charles Goemaere in a statement in March. Every year, around 120,000 seasonal workers are brought in the region to handpick grapes grown across 34,000 hectares (84,000 acres) and used to make the iconic sparkling wine. The famed winemakers' reputation took a hit in 2023. Four grape harvesters in the region died that year, and were believed to have suffered sunstroke after working in scorching heat. Advertisement 'The public should be made aware of the extent of human trafficking in the agricultural sector, and producers should know that they may face legal procedures,' said David Desgranges, vice-president of the Committee Against Modern Slavery (CCEM). French law defines human trafficking as 'recruiting, transporting, transferring, housing or receiving a person to exploit them', by means of coerced employment, abusing a position of authority, abusing a vulnerable situation or in exchange of payment or benefits.
