# 2026 European grape harvest: labor shortages and early heat > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/2026-european-grape-harvest-seasonal-labor > Updated: 2026-08-06T14:40:44.000Z. Sources: 50. Developments: 5. The 2026 vintage is progressing well ahead of the normal calendar across the continent. In Spain, the Jumilla DOP opened its harvest with a test batch of 600,000 kg and daily intakes now exceed one million kilograms, the earliest start on record. The early heat that accelerated ripening in Rioja, the Canary Islands and other regions has also pushed the start in the Marche and Veneto regions of Italy a week earlier than usual, with Veneto reporting an 8‑10‑day advance. In the Canavese area, sugar levels have risen sharply, with Babo degrees climbing from 12.9 to as high as 15.3 in late July. Burgundy’s vineyards began picking on 8 August, another record‑early opening, while Maremma Toscana started roughly fifteen days ahead of the norm, with vines remaining healthy despite the heat. The cooperative Bodegas Yuntero in Castilla‑La Mancha continues to receive over a million kilograms of grapes per day. Across the region, growers note smaller bunches and water‑stress concerns but expect overall quality to stay high. Labor shortages persist: Randstad is still seeking more than 1,600 seasonal workers for Galicia, and Spanish workers remain a major source for France’s vendange. Price disputes continue, with unions accusing buyers of contracts below production costs, prompting calls for stricter enforcement to protect profitability. ## Claims - Randstad will manage more than 1,600 job vacancies for the 2026 grape harvest in Galicia. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Galicia has over 33,847 hectares of vineyards, generates about 4,563 direct jobs and produces €512 million annually with a gross added value of €313 million. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Bodegas Yuntero opened its 2026 harvest with a test batch of 600 000 kg and daily intake exceeding one million kilograms. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Maremma Toscana’s 2026 harvest began about fifteen days early, with vines in good health. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The El Progreso cooperative in Ciudad Real began its 2026 harvest on the night of 2–3 August, about a week earlier than the previous year. (single source) - El Progreso may harvest the Airén variety in August for the first time, instead of the usual September. (single source) - ARAG‑ASAJA has called for a price‑setting pact after six consecutive campaigns in Rioja where grape prices did not cover production costs. (single source) - Heat waves have caused the grape harvest across much of Spain to start earlier, with some vineyards beginning in July, reducing yields and raising alcohol levels. (single source) - José Luis Benítez said the Castilla‑La Mancha forecast fell from about 24 million hectolitres to 20 million, a 16.7 % drop. (single source) - Synergie Vigo is recruiting temporary workers for the O Baixo Miño harvest, offering €9.67 per hour plus a productivity bonus. (single source) - The Jumilla DOP in Spain started its 2026 harvest in early August, marking the earliest start on record. (single source) - Colli Euganei in Italy began its harvest on 10 August, about one week earlier than the previous year. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-06: 2026 European grape harvests start early amid heat 2026 grape harvests in Spain, Italy, France and other European regions start weeks early due to heat, with early starts in Jumilla, Colli Euganei, Veneto, Burgundy and Maremma, and forecasts of high yields in R 25 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spains-2026-wine-harvest-sees-early-start-and-higher-forecasts ### 2026-08-06: Heat wave pushes forward grape and pear harvests in Spain Heat waves have advanced Spain's grape harvest in the Balearics and pear blanquilla harvest in Lleida, boosting quality but cutting yields, with early signs of a strong Balearic vintage and lower‑volume, high‑‑ 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/heat-wave-pushes-forward-grape-and-pear-harvests-in-spain ### 2026-08-04: Spain's 2026 wine harvest hit by labor shortages, price disputes and heat Spain's 2026 wine harvest faces early ripening from heat, severe labor shortages, and disputes over low grape prices, prompting warnings from growers' unions. 20 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/spanish-grape-harvest-sector-faces-price-pressure-and-labor-demand ### 2026-07-31: Spain's 2026 grape harvest: early start, labor crunch, price fight Spain's 2026 grape harvest sees early start due to heat, a 1,600‑job labor drive in Galicia, and Rioja growers demanding price guarantees after six loss‑making campaigns. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/galicias-2026-vendimia-hires-over-1600-seasonal-workers ### 2026-07-30: Andalusian Workers Represent 75% of Spanish Harvest Labour in France Around 14,500 Spanish seasonal workers will harvest grapes in France, with 75% (≈10,800) coming from Andalusia; unions cite better pay (€9.74/hour) but warn of possible abuses. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/andalusian-workers-represent-75-of-spanish-harvest-labour-in-france --- Cite as: 2026 European grape harvest: labor shortages and early heat. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/2026-european-grape-harvest-seasonal-labor