For Alsatian winegrowers, the losses in turnover since the start of the health crisis triggered by the new coronavirus have risen to 90%. Most of the points of sale are at a standstill, especially on the catering side. Only farms working with large retailers still manage to get their heads out of the water.

The situation of Alsatian winegrowers is "catastrophic" since the start of the coronavirus epidemic, losses of turnover of up to "90%" for some, indicate Saturday officials of the sector. "It is catastrophic what is happening, it is extremely worrying, the repercussions are significant", explains Jérôme Bauer, president of the Association of the viticulturalists of Alsace (AVA), which gathers nearly 4.000 members.

After a "fairly good" start to the year, with "good momentum in export flows" in early March, the epidemic and containment cut everything, he analyzes. For the month of March, the losses in turnover thus range "between 25 and 90% over the month of March" compared to March 2019, continues Jérôme Bauer, whose domain located near Colmar wipes him "85 % losses ". "In April, it may become 100% for some companies," he said. The medium or large farms "who work with the large distribution still leave a little bit of wine" but "still suffer losses", however less than the independent winegrowers who "work in direct sales and in wine" salons, which all been canceled.

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Sales interrupted, particularly in the catering sector

"The restaurants and the stores are closed. However, these are our customers and that poses marketing concerns for us," confirms Alain Renou, director of Synvira, the Syndicate of independent winegrowers in Alsace (450 members). Barring exceptions, "most of our distribution channels", such as export or hotels, "are on standby at the moment", he continues. Cellar sales are still allowed "but the public, with good reason, avoids traveling," he adds.

And if he welcomes the state aid systems and the help from the banks "to limit the economic damage", he still "fears" that this health crisis will force operators to close their doors .

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Activity compromised until September

By counting on a deconfinement "in early May or mid-May, it would take us a few months to get the machine back on track," warns Jérôme Bauer, who does not see a departure from the activity "before September, except perhaps for those who do direct selling, "depending on the upturn in tourism. For Alain Renou, deliveries that are always possible, particularly to homes, could constitute a small glimmer in this ambient slump: confinement, "it can be an opportunity to have fun with a good bottle", he slips.