185 million euros in wine restructuring promised
Luís Vieira, Secretary of State for Rural Development and Fisheries says 20,000ha of Portugal's wine estates will be restructured by 2013, at a cost of 185 million euros.
The restructuring is designed to improve the quality of the wine and boost productivity in the vineyards. He said government's aid package to the wine sector was designed to make the industry more competitive on a global scale. He said in the past seven years 31,000ha of vineyard had been restructured at a total cost of €200 million. Latest measures will extend over the next three years. Wine growers who accept restructuring will receive annual support worth €1500 per ha to offset loss of income arising from the initiative.
An additional €20 million will be set aside to promote Portuguese wines in foreign markets. These campaigns will roll out under the overall umbrella slogan of 'Vinhos de Portugal' in a bid to promote brand awareness on a permanent basis in prime markets.
