The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, representing the Chinese government, had reportedly submitted formally the application to join the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) through its Embassy in Paris earlier this year. The application is under review by member countries and China is expected to officially become the 51st official member country at the OIV’s 100th anniversary celebration conference in November. For a country to become a member, a majority of the existing members must vote in its favour; China is expected to be elected unanimously.

Though India has been markedly behind China in wine culture, production and consumption, the latter country did not apply before to become a member as only a government can become member, though any nation may join through their wine bodies as Observers. India had been voted as a member unanimously in 2011.

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Created in 1924 and re-organised in 2001 with 35 member states, and without US as a member, the OIV is an intergovernmental organization of a scientific and technical nature of recognized competence for its works concerning vines, wine, wine-based beverages, table grapes, raisins and other vine-based products. The organization, based in Paris and shifting its headquarters to Dijon this year has 50 Member states (including India) and 14 observers.

The OIV, the most authoritative intergovernmental international organization for wine-producing countries, wields broad influence in the global wine industry. As a full member, China can take benefits from the expertise, cooperation, and services of a network of more than 500 technical experts and the 50 existing member states. China ranks as the world’s 9th largest wine consumer and has the third-largest area under vines behind Spain and France, according to OIV.

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The news of China’s OIV membership comes as it faces an ongoing decline in wine production and consumption. While still the largest winemaker in Asia, according to an OIV Report of 2023, the country saw an estimated 33% slump in wine volumes year-on-year, at 3.2m hL. It is expected to have lost around 2m hL a year since 2018.

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One of the key advocates for China’s long road to joining the OIV has been the Ningxia government which has been supported and encouraged by President Xi Jinping  Since becoming an observer of the OIV in 2012, Ningxia has repeatedly participated in OIV world wine conferences, promoting the Helan Mountain Eastern Foothills wine region globally. Speaking of the anticipated membership, Chen Zijun, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Helan Mountain Eastern Foothills Wine Industry Park in Ningxia says, “China’s entry in the OIV is of great significance for the development of the global wine industry, as it will enhance the international status and recognition of Chinese wine.”

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According to the Ningxia government, the province will lead regular exchanges and cooperation with wine regions worldwide in areas such as market connection, standard alignment, brand promotion, product export, events, technology introduction, and talent cultivation, says the Report by Joy News.

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Founded on November 29, 1924, in Paris, France, and recently shifting its headquarters to Dijon the OIV is an authoritative body in the international wine industry.  It is one of the international organizations recognized and published by ISO, and OIV standards are adopted by the World Trade Organization (WTO) for wine-related matters.

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Most of the reputed grape and wine producer countries are members of OIV which includes 50 member countries such as France, Italy and even India which joined 11 years ago in 2013 with the then President of India, Mrs. Pratibha Patil signing the decree. The US left the organization in 2001 because of structural differences. Indian Wine Academy and the Founder President Subhash Arora initiated the dialogue between OIV and the Government of India through the Ministry of Food Processing Industries. (MOFPI) and felicitating the dialogue.

Observers may attend OIV meetings and working group sessions and get wine-related information, but are not official members and do not have voting rights.

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For details of the countries as members and organizations as Observers, visit

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Subhash Arora