Decreased productivity in the 2020 harvest of Portugal grapes

According to the Monthly Bulletin of Agriculture and Fisheries from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) for September, harvests took off during the month of August, with white grape varieties starting in the first fortnight (in the hottest areas and of lightest soils) and those of red varieties starting from the third week on.

In terms of Viticulture development, conditions were very heterogeneous throughout the cycle and between regions, leading to divergent estimates regarding the evolution of production compared to the previous campaign.

Generally speaking, the first stages of vegetative development went without major problems, with only a few issues regarding budbreak in Central Portugal, caused by late frosts and snowfall. During the spring, in phases of great susceptibility of most grape varieties to cryptogamic diseases, the spring weather conditions promoted the appearance of strong mildew attacks, forcing the strengthening of phytosanitary treatments. There were also losses caused by hail (central part of Portugal) and scald (interior North, Ribatejo and Alentejo).

In light of these scenarios, forecasts point to a sharp decrease in the interior of the North and Center (between -20% and -35% compared to 2019), and for the maintenance or slight increase in the remaining wine regions. Overall it is estimated that there will be a 5% decrease in the total production of vines for wine.