EU approves 15-million-euro assistance for wine producers

The European Commission announced the mobilisation of 15 million euros of the agricultural reserve to assist Portuguese wine producers who are facing severe market disturbances. The measure responds to an urgent need identified by the Government in its first months in office.

This assistance to wine distillation is a crisis, temporary, and exceptional measure that will not be repeated in the future. It will be paid to recipients in Portugal by 30 April 2025, abiding by strict criteria and eligibility and control rules.  

The Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries José Manuel Fernandes has been stating the need to "increase the amounts allocated to promotion, the removal of customs barriers in third countries to make it easier to export our wines and measures to promote improving producers’ income". 

"The assistance promoted on Tuesday by the Commission will help to mitigate a serious problem of accumulated stock that was completely ignored by the previous Government", José Manuel Fernandes said. 

Portugal is to announce to the Commission by 31 August the rules to execute this measure, namely the amounts of wine that are expected to be withdrawn from the market in each region, the eligibility conditions, and the amount of the assistance.