A year ago, several winegrowers saw their vines ravaged by frost. Some have lost up to 70% of their vineyard. According to the Federal Agriculture Office, 2024 has recorded the second lower harvest of the last 50 years, after that of 2021. At the time of bottling, the professionals of the branch realize the extent of the damage and the shortfall. In Geneva, some had to resolve to request a loan from the State to face the lack of liquidity, reports the “RTS”.
Currently, the canton counts six, but estimates that other requests will be sent to it in the coming months, when the lack of income will be felt more. If the rise in bottle prices is envisaged to limit breakage, this solution will not solve the problem, estimates Sophie Dugerdil, president of the Geneva association of independent winegrowers. “We know the economic situation in Geneva and people who buy wines. You can’t get out of the bottles at 50 francs either. ” The winegrowers also try to find solutions to face climatic vagaries, such as protecting vines with tarpaulins, modifying the size or planting more resistant grape varieties.
