Producers poured grapes into the streets in Douro: Buyer crisis for harvest

Some viticulturists in the Douro region stated that they had difficulty finding buyers for their wine grapes during the harvest period and dumped approximately 300 kilograms of grapes in front of the IVDP center in Peso da Régua. Producers want urgent support against excess wine stocks and more predictable sales conditions.

Symbolic protest with 300 kilograms of grapes in Douro

Some winegrowers in the Douro region drew attention to the sales problems during the harvest period by shedding approximately 300 kilograms of grapes in front of the headquarters of the Douro and Port Wine Institute (IVDP) in Peso da Régua on September 2.

Speaking on behalf of the “Lutar pelo Douro” association, producer Joaquim Monteiro said that many vineyard growers do not yet know to whom they will sell their grapes or at what price they will be paid. These statements reflect the assessment of the producers and the association organizing the protest.

In the Douro, the problem is associated with the wine stocks accumulated in the region and the contraction in sales channels, rather than the physical abundance of grapes. In the government's action plan dated 2025, the imbalance between production and demand, the growth of stocks and the weakening of wine consumption were cited as among the main problems.

What does “Benefício” mean?

The “benefício” in the Douro is not tax exemption; It is an annual production authorization for must that can be used in the production of port wine.

Producers state that even if they can sell the amount of grapes that can be reserved for Port wine, they have difficulty finding buyers for the remaining product. Some producers argue that there is not enough demand for grapes that can be used within the scope of "benefício".

Distillation support not yet implemented for 2026

For the 2025 harvest, the government provided support of up to 0.50 euros per kilogram for grapes delivered to wine production for distillation. This support was organized as a crisis measure specific to the 2025–2026 campaign.

Parliament passed a similar “grape distillation” support proposal for 2026 on July 17. However, this decision is a recommendation to the government; A new official regulation indicating that the same support comes into force for the 2026 harvest could not be found while this draft was being prepared.

PTNewsHub review

The development in the Douro shows the uncertainty in the sale of wine grapes and the pressure of accumulated wine stocks on producers rather than the scarcity of grapes. Therefore, it cannot be concluded from this event that the price of table grapes will decrease or that their price will definitely increase; The production and sales balances of the two markets are different. The main issue for producers is that they cannot find a buyer and a previously known price assurance for the product while the harvest has started.

Practical knowledge

It is important for wine grape producers in the Douro to follow IVDP's current announcements regarding harvest notification, production authorization and delivery records. If distillation support is reopened, application conditions and delivery processes should be separately announced through IVDP and the Official Gazette.

Lusa/Agroportal: Protest over 300 kilograms of grapes in Régua

Portuguese Government: Douro wine sector action plan

Official Gazette: 2025–2026 distillation support rules

Portuguese Parliament: “Uva para Destilação 2026” recommendation