Champagne makers say sales losing fizz amid global gloom and changing habits

‘It is not time to celebrate given inflation, conflicts across the world, economic uncertainties and political wait-and-see,’ said the president of the growers’ union. Photograph: Lev Dolgachov/Alamy

Changing habits and the gloomy state of the world are taking the fizz out of French champagne sales, the producers’ association has said, with shipments down nearly 10% last year.

Consumers in crucial markets such as the US and home country France cut down on the luxury beverage, as economic and political anxiety dampened the party mood.