Wines & Spirits: our sectors warn of alarming budgetary trends in an unprecedented crisis
The wine, spirits, and out-of-home consumption sector is experiencing an unprecedented crisis: consumption in France is collapsing and exports are falling sharply.
Supporting this sector in public policy decisions is now a strategic choice: it means defending jobs, regions, and unique expertise, while preserving a way of life and France’s image internationally.
Wines & Spirits: our sectors warn of alarming budgetary trends in an unprecedented crisis
With consumption falling in France and exports plummeting, the wine and spirits industry and producers of out-of-home consumption are facing a major crisis. Far from helping to support a flagship sector of the economy in difficulty, the debates surrounding the draft social security financing bill (PLFSS) point to new threats that will further exacerbate the situation.
A sector of excellence in crisis
Wines and spirits, as well as the out-of-home market, are experiencing a major economic crisis: alcohol consumption in France, which has fallen steadily by 60% over the past 60 years, is now dropping by 4% to 5% per year. At the same time, the main export markets, primarily China and the United States, are abruptly closing their borders. This catastrophic situation is jeopardizing a sector in which more than half of turnover depends on exports and which represents the third largest surplus in our country’s trade balance.
Companies in the sector are suffering: dozens of them have closed their doors in recent months. Job protection plans are multiplying. An entire local economy is also faltering: farmers, winegrowers, nursery growers, distillers, bottle manufacturers, coopers, logisticians, wine merchants, traders, and restaurateurs (CHR), who work hand in hand. In total, more than 600,000 jobs across the country are at risk.
Recurring and counterproductive budgetary attacks on a struggling flagship industry
Year after year, wines and spirits are targeted more and more aggressively during budget debates: introduction of a minimum price, removal of the cap on annual increases based on inflation, extension of social security contributions to all alcoholic beverages, tax on alcohol advertising, etc. All this despite the fact that taxation is already high: for example, a 40% ABV spirit sold at €18 in a supermarket consists of 72% tax, or just over €13.
However, this tax inflation is ineffective, as demonstrated by the situation in the United Kingdom (1), Portugal (2), and Belgium (3), where these measures:
– Do not reduce harmful consumption, which shifts to other alcoholic beverages,
– Weaken the café-hotel-restaurant sector,
– Encourage cross-border trade.
(1) With a 10.1% increase in alcohol tax in 2023, the UK government saw a £1.3 billion drop in revenue over 12 months.
(2) The 10% increase in spirits duties in Portugal reduced government revenue by 11% in 2024. Conversely, stable taxation the following year led to a 7% increase in revenue in 2025.
(3) In 2017, tax increases on alcoholic beverages cost the Belgian government €32 million and drove cross-border purchases up by 40%, prompting the authorities to reduce taxation.
A call for realism and stability
In this context, our sectors are unanimously calling for a fiscal status quo, nothing more, nothing less.
Supporting the wine and spirits sector and the hotel and restaurant industry in public arbitration is a strategic choice: it means supporting jobs, regions, and unique expertise. It also means preserving a way of life and France’s image internationally. We need visibility and stability to continue producing, investing, passing on our knowledge, and contributing to France’s economic and cultural influence around the world.
What is La Maison des Vins & Spiritueux?
The MVS (Maison des Vins & Spiritueux, in English the House of Wines and Spirits) brings together four major professional organizations in the sector: the Federation of French Wine and Spirits Exporters (FEVS), the French Federation of Spirits (FFS), the French Federation of Aperitif Wines (FFVA) and the Union of Wine Houses and Brands (UMVIN), to structure and represent the French wine, flavored wine and spirits industry, which brings together more than 1,000 companies, from regional SMEs and micro-enterprises to large exporting groups.
The MVS shares a common conviction: that of a sector rooted in the regions, creating jobs and driving the local economy, but also acting as an ambassador for French know-how and art de vivre throughout the world. A true hub for coordination, dialogue, and influence, the Maison des Vins & Spiritueux works to ensure that the sector has a united and audible voice in economic, social, and environmental debates, in order to build a sustainable and prosperous future for the entire industry.
The Union of Hotel Trades and Industries (UMIH)
The leading professional organization representing cafés, hotels, restaurants, nightlife establishments, caterers, bowling alleys, and thalassotherapy centers throughout France, both metropolitan and overseas, representing 68% of unionized companies in the sector and 50% of employees. Thierry Marx has been the confederal president since 2022.
The National Federation of Beverages (FNB)
The National Federation of Beverages is the sole voice of beverage wholesalers.
It proudly promotes the values of these small businesses: proximity, quality of service, and social commitment. It brings together more than 70% of companies in the sector and promotes their strategic role at the heart of local communities and the food service industry.