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The Portuguese association of wine merchants and exporters Anceve has asked the government for support shortly before the grape harvest, as rising costs are "driving the industry to the brink of ruin". According to Anceve, the continuing rise in prices for raw materials, bottling materials and transport is responsible for the economic instability of the Portuguese wine industry. Especially small and medium-sized producers, who made up the majority of the wine sector in Portugal, were threatened with bankruptcy without state support, the association wrote in a statement.
The producers had only been able to raise their prices by about ten percent. But this is not enough to cover costs, "so that the vast majority will record large losses at the end of the year - if they make it at all", the association warned. Anceve criticised the Ministry of Agriculture for its lack of support, describing it as "overly bureaucratised" and "lacking direction".
According to Anceve, there were many approaches the Portuguese government could take to intervene. For example, investments in barrel and bottle storage should be subsidised. Furthermore, the association demands interest-free support from the state treasury so that the cooperatives can pay their grape suppliers after the harvest. In addition, there should be greater support for the price of agricultural diesel. It currently costs 1.80 euros per litre in Portugal.
(ru / Source: drinksbusiness; Photo: 123rf.com)