As global producers prepare to gather at the World Bulk Wine Exhibition (WBWE) in Amsterdam next week, the event arrives at a pivotal moment for the sector. The bulk wine market – responsible for the majority of the world’s wine movement by volume – is in the midst of a structural reset driven by high inventories, patchy demand, rising production costs and significant changes in international trade patterns.
Regions such as Spain, France, Chile and South Africa continue to contend with surplus volumes after several generous harvest cycles, creating downward pressure on prices. Meanwhile, consumption in key markets has softened, logistics costs remain elevated and producers are navigating the effects of currency volatility on export competitiveness.
For many in the industry, this combination of factors has elongated holding periods, tightened cash flow and forced a sharper focus on operational resilience.
Against this backdrop, Fero will attend the Amsterdam fair to meet directly with producers, cooperatives, traders and supply-chain partners, exploring how working capital infrastructure and their specific supply chain tech stack can support stability and adaptability during a period of correction.
A critical role in the global wine trade
Mitch Fowler, Fero’s co-founder and CEO, says the timing of the event underscores the importance of the people who keep the global wine trade moving.
“Bulk wine producers and suppliers play an essential – yet often under-recognised – role in the global wine trade. They supply the base wines for countless blends, brands and private-label programmes around the world. When this part of the market is under strain, the effects ripple right through the industry. Our aim in Amsterdam is simply to listen, understand the pressure points and discuss how better funding tools can support the continuity and quality that the sector depends on.” - Mitch Fowler, Co-Founder & CEO, Fero
Opportunity amid challenges
Despite the difficulties, many industry specialists believe the current environment is creating openings for producers who can remain agile and with access to working capital stable.
Barry Dick MW, a long-standing figure in international sourcing and a recent addition to the Fero team, highlights the dual nature of the moment:
“These are undeniably challenging conditions for bulk wine producers. But periods like this also create extraordinary opportunities for those who can adapt. Buyers are reassessing origins, switching supply routes and rethinking long-term partnerships. The producers who can navigate cash-flow pressures and maintain consistency will be well placed to secure new contracts and market share. The fair in Amsterdam is arriving at exactly the right time for those conversations.” – Barry Dick MW, Fero
A market looking for stability and flexibility
Industry participants point to several shared themes going into the fair:
- Longer storage and ageing periods as producers wait for demand to stabilise.
- Increased price uncertainty, making planning and financing more difficult.
- Fragmented supply chains, with multiple stakeholders influencing trade cycles.
- Growing demand for transparency, particularly around financing, stock positions, and shipment timelines.
- Shifting global trade flows, offering opportunities for agile producers able to respond to changing market needs.
Fero’s engagement at the event will centre on understanding how financing models and operational tools can be aligned with these realities—helping producers maintain momentum
While the global bulk wine sector continues to face pressure, the Amsterdam fair provides an important space for collaboration, insight-sharing, and longer-term planning. For many producers, the challenge now is to balance caution with opportunity—ensuring they remain ready to serve a market that, despite its volatility, continues to evolve and open new pathways for growth.
If you are interested in meeting with Fero at WBWE we are hosting a private event on Monday, 21 November, the first evening of the fair. Please email marketing@ferodrinks.com to register for the event or to book a meeting with one of the team members attending the fair.
