Middle East War Blocks Italian Wine Orders

The war in the Middle East is blocking wine orders in about twenty markets, from Gulf countries to nearby destinations, affecting an annual export value of about €80 million, according to Unione Italiana Vini. The warning came from Lamberto Frescobaldi, the group’s president, during the National Council meeting held at the Girlan winery in Cornaiano, near Bolzano, as Italy’s wine sector faces a difficult start to 2026.

Wine exports fell 18% in January compared with the same month in 2025, according to Istat data cited by WineNews. Frescobaldi said the conflict is adding pressure not only through lost sales but also through higher costs for dry materials, transport and tourism-related business. He said the situation is especially serious because demand was already weakening before the latest disruptions.

Uiv said the extra cost of dry materials alone, including glass, paper, cardboard, capsules and wire hoods, could raise the final price of a €4 bottle by between 10% and 20%. The organization said many producers would not be able to absorb those costs because they have already cut export price lists in response to U.S. tariffs, lowering prices abroad by an average of 11% in 2025 and 13% in the first quarter of 2026.

The group also pointed to rising freight costs. In Italy, it said some transport rates are already increasing, while container prices on international routes are expected to rise between 20% and 50%. Frescobaldi said the damage could spread further if weaker tourism and wine tourism are added to inflationary or recessionary risks tied to the conflict.

Uiv has asked the Italian government and the European Union for urgent measures to support the sector and limit further losses. The organization said it is too early to measure the full impact on wineries because several pressures are unfolding at once, from blocked markets to higher logistics costs and softer travel demand.