Douro wine growers protest in Peso da Régua demanding fair grape prices

On 7 August, wine growers from Portugal's Douro region gathered in Peso da Régua for a protest organized by the Confederação Nacional da Agricultura (CNA) and the Associação dos Viticultores e da Agricultura Familiar Douriense (AVADOURIENSE). The demonstration, held in front of the Instituto dos Vinhos do Douro e Porto (IVDP), called for immediate measures to ensure the marketing of grapes at prices that cover production costs.

The Portuguese Communist Party (PCP) sent a delegation, including deputy Alfredo Maia and party member Belmiro Magalhães, to express solidarity with small and medium‑scale viticultors. Protesters demanded mandatory contracts, a ban on buying grapes below cost, increased state purchases of excess wine, and stronger inspection of out‑of‑region wine entries. They also urged the government to raise the benefit per 76 000 pipas of must and grant the Casa do Douro authority to stabilise wine stocks.

The CNA noted that the government had recently released another plan for the Douro, but growers stressed that concrete actions are needed now rather than future promises.