The protests in Peso da Régua, Vila Real in Portugal – the ‘capital’ of the port wine production – highlighted issues of oversupply of grapes when the price being paid for them was falling, and increasing competition from grapes coming from neighbouring Spain.
According to local news outlet the Portugal Resident, they are calling for fair prices for grapes, a ban on the purchase of grapes below production costs, and priority for regional brandy in the production of Port wine, while controlling the entry of wines from outside the region. They also want the state to purchase surplus stocks from cooperative wineries and a “legal and operational” capacity to Casa do Douro to stabilise stocks
Organised by the National Confederation of Agriculture (CNA) and the Douro Wine Growers and Family Farming Association (Avadouriense), the protests come ahead of the harvest, which has seen some producers already receive letters cancelling orders for this year’s grapes, according to Portuguese TV outlet, Sociedade Independente de Comunicação (SIC).
CNA leader Berta Santos called for the beneficio – the amount of must that can legally be used to make Port to be maintained for this year’s harvest – warning that not doing so would mean smaller producers going out of business.
“We won’t accept cuts because the beneficio is what keeps small and medium-sized producers in this region alive. We want better prices for the grapes, because production costs are enormous,” Santos said.
To read the full article, click HERE.