Impact of the Administrative Regulations in the Wine Value Chain: The Spanish Case

The wine value chain is characterized by its traditional nature. The transformation of the raw material makes lasting products with a high added value, which entails large price differences between producers and consumers. Given the socioeconomic important of this sector, it has specially been taken into account by the administration, with a high level of intervention. There is an ample range of interventions, from a qualitative and from a quantitative point of view. The main objective of all these policies is the intention of controlling the supply and stimulating the demand. The impact of these measures is considered in the short term, to solve the surplus problems. However, at the long run, it has a negative impact. The new framework of the wine presents a lower administrative intervention, with the market-management rules more effective in order to achieve a better balance between supply and demand. The recent modification of the CMO will make EU wines more competitive and will enhance the reputation of European wines and regaining market share both in the EU and outside.