Poor grape harvest to cause global wine shortage - OIVOctober 31, 2012 - 21:28 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - A poor grape harvest in 2012 is predicted to lead to a shortage of wine across the world. According to BBC News, the International Organization for Vine and Wine (OIV) said that global wine production will fall to its lowest level since records began in 1975. Hardest hit are wine-makers in Argentina, where output will fall 24%, and in the world's two largest wine producers, Italy and France. The OIV said the fall in production was likely to push up prices. Global thirst for wine is growing, especially in the developing world, and demand is expected to outstrip production this year. The organization’s director-general, Federico Castelluci, said: "We're dipping into reserves for supply." Overall production is expected to fall to just under 250 million hectolitres (just over five billion gallons). Last year the world produced 265 million hectolitres. The one major producer to buck the trend is the United States, where output is expected to rise by 7%. Top stories Yerevan has dismissed Turkey’s demand to shut down the Armenian nuclear power plant as “inappropriate”. Armenia will loan 2.9 billion drams to Nagorno Karabakh (Artsakh), according to a draft government decision. The Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan has “strongly condemned” Armenia’s decision. Kerobyan has said that for the first time in the history of Armenia, the volume of foreign direct investments amounted to about $1 billion. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |