Lisbon, April 24, 2025 (Lusa) - Farmers in the Douro are worried about their ability to withstand another year of difficulties, with low prices paid for their produce and difficulties in disposing of it, the National Confederation of Agriculture (CNA) warned on Thursday.

‘After a year in which many grapes were left unharvested because there was no one to sell them to, there are growing concerns among farmers about their ability to withstand another year of difficulties, with a lack of outlets and low prices paid for grapes (prices that remain at the same levels as 25 years ago or even lower), brutal increases in production costs and, above all, a strong imbalance of power between production, processing and the large export trade,’ the CNA said in a statement.

On the other hand, it emphasised that, given the application of tariffs on wine exports, particularly to the US, ‘it is imperative’ to end unnecessary exports.

The CNA also denounced the lack of support measures, criticising what it said was government propaganda.

‘The Ministry of Agriculture has not adopted a single measure to directly address the desperate situation of the small Douro wine growers that could compensate them for the huge losses in income,’ it pointed out.

According to the farmers, the wine-growing regions, particularly the Douro, need the government's attention, with immediate and structural measures, namely ‘an end to the liberalisation of vine planting rights in the European Union’ and the promotion of exports.

PE/ADB // ADB.

Lusa