Updated: August 2026
In April 2024, Freixenet, the Spanish-German cava producer known for its black bottles, proposed temporarily furloughing up to 615 of its 778 employees in Catalonia.
The announcement followed more than three years of drought, which had reduced local grape supplies and the base wine available for cava production. The original proposal covered nearly 80% of the company’s workforce in the region.
The outcome changed during negotiations. The eventual agreement reduced working hours for 615 employees at Freixenet and Segura Viudas by 20–50% from May until the end of 2024.
Why it matters
Freixenet shows how a climate event can travel through a business: drought reduced grape supplies, lower supply disrupted production and the response changed employees’ working hours.
The lesson applies beyond vineyards and food production. A business can be affected by climate disruption through its suppliers, materials, premises, transport, people and costs — including disruption happening elsewhere in its supply chain.
What small businesses can learn
Start with the things your business relies on. Which materials, products or services would be difficult to replace? Where do they come from? What would happen if they became unavailable, delayed or more expensive?
Our Resource, How does climate change affect small businesses?, explains how to examine risks affecting your supply chains, operations, people, costs and customers.
