‘If we start doing the maths, we’ll stop working today’: Douro winegrowers alarmed by costs
Winegrowers in Mesão Frio, in the Douro region, are concerned about the 'absurd' rise in production costs, ranging from fuel to phytopharmaceuticals. A wet year has necessitated constant vineyard maintenance and increased treatments to combat diseases like powdery and downy mildew. Producers report that while costs for fuel, machinery, and supplies have soared, the selling price of grapes and wine has remained stagnant for years. The situation is further complicated by labour shortages, reduced benefits for Port wine production, and the impact of global conflicts on supply chains, leading many to consider abandoning their land.
dn.pt
