Douro winegrowers protested this Wednesday at the headquarters of the Port and Douro Wines Institute, in Peso da Régua, dumping around 300 kilos of grapes to raise awareness about the problems they face during the current harvest. The action comes in a context of great concern among farmers, who are struggling to find a destination for their production.
Producers express uncertainty about the prices being charged and the destination of the grapes, with a significant portion of the production remaining without a buyer. There are also concerns that some companies may not acquire all available production, including grapes intended for different categories of wine.
Winegrowers advocate for the adoption of measures to address surpluses and ensure greater protection for their incomes. Among the solutions under discussion is the return of support related to grape distillation, after Parliament approved a recommendation in July for the creation of the "grape for distillation 2026" measure.
The situation once again highlights the challenges faced by Douro viticulture, a sector where production costs and marketing difficulties continue to concern those working in the vineyards.
