US: Wine industry optimistic despite labor, import concerns
US: Wine industry optimistic despite labor, import concerns
May 23, 2013 6(PressDemocrat) - It’s a time of optimism in the wine industry, with vintners buying vineyards to secure supply, and grape growers and brokers easily selling their crop for hearty prices.
But there are issues on the horizon, including a dwindling labor pool and an increase in bulk wine imports from overseas that could ease pricing pressures on domestic grapes and wine.
These trends were part of wide-ranging discussions Thursday among 200 vineyard, winery and finance executives at the 18th annual Vineyard Economics Seminar in Napa.
Nearly 98 percent of growers and vintners were more profitable last year than the previous year, and 87 percent believe that next year will be even better, according to an annual survey of wine executives.
“The winery demand seems to continue unabated,” said conference founder David Freed, chairman of the Silverado Group.
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