Portugal: Organic & Biodynamic wine production data: See organics, Biodynamics, Portugal

2019 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total.

2018 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 192 thousand hectares in 2018.

2017 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 194 thousand hectares in 2017.

2016 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 195 thousand hectares in 2016.

2015 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 204 thousand hectares in 2015.

2014 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 221 thousand hectares in 2014.

2013 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 227 thousand hectares in 2013.

2012 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 233 thousand hectares in 2012.

2011 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 240 thousand hectares in 2011.

2010 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 243 thousand hectares in 2010.

2009 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 244 thousand hectares in 2009.

2008 ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 246 thousand hectares in 2008.

2007 Portugal had 2,021 hectares (5,000 acres) of organic (wine and table grape) vines (European Commission, 2010), % of the national total of 248 thousand hectares in 2007. 2007 Wine Production: 5.6-6.0m/hl, 20-25% down on 2006, with losses of 18% in the Douro and 35% in Vinho Verde (Source: La Vigne, November 2007 No 192, p.36).

2006 Portugal had 1,178 hectares (2,910 acres) of organic (wine and table grape) vines (European Commission, 2010), % of the national total of 249 thousand hectares in 2006.

2005 Portugal had 1,240 hectares (3,062 acres) of organic (wine and table grape) vines (European Commission, 2010), % of the national total of 248 thousand hectares in 2005. Wine Industry: 300,000 wine growers, 190 commercial wineries of which 150 export. Sogrape is the largest winery, which still sells over 20 million bottles of Mateus Rosé annually  (Source: Harpers 2006 Directory, p.214). Production 6,645,000hl est (Source: Harpers 2006 Directory, p.214), down (in some cases by over 30%) on 2004 due to a very dry winter and a drought affecting 70% of Portugal. By mid-March 2005 most of the country was classified as suffering from “severe” or “extreme” drought. The cork harvest for 2005 was predicted to be 1 million arrobas (1 arroba = 15 kg [33lb]) down on 2004. Smallest crop since 1998.

2004 Portugal had 1,002 hectares (2,475 acres) of organic (wine and table grape) vines (European Commission, 2010), 0.4% of the national total of 247 thousand hectares in 2004. The source for the 0.4% came from The World of Organic Agriculture, Statistics and Emerging Trends 2006 by Willer, Helga and Minou Yussefi (IFOAM & FiBL) who gave a figure of 912 ha or 0.4% of the national vineyard [figures refer to vineyards, not wine vineyards specifically]. Another figure of 240,000 ha was given for Portugal’s vineyard as a whole (in Harpers 2006 Directory, p.214. Portugal’s  biggest region was Trás-os-Montes with 69,000 ha.The most widely planted grapes are Touriga Francesa (14%), Arangonès (8%) and Tinta Barroca (7%). “Portugal currently has 230,000 ha of vineyard split between approx 300,000 growers,” says Richard Mayson. | Wine production: 2004: 7,483,000 hl (Source: Harpers 2006 Directory, p.214). | Wine consumption: 2004: 4,837,000 hl (Source: Harpers 2006 Directory, p.214). | Wine exports: 2004: 2,400,946 hl, with France top destination with 581,793hl, then Italy in second place with 538,070hl, Angola with 422,049hl, and the UK with 88,198hl (Source: Harpers 2006 Directory, p.214).

2003 Portugal had 839 hectares (2,073 acres) of organic (wine and table grape) vines (European Commission, 2010), % of the national total of 249 thousand hectares in 2003.

2002 Portugal had 575 hectares (1,420 acres) of organic (wine and table grape) vines (European Commission, 2010), % of the national total of 249 thousand hectares in 2002. Wine production: 6,651,000 hl provisional (Onivins). Organic Agriculture: Rapid growth. However, the area planted is still limited to 85,912 hectares (according to the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture) and 1,059 registered producers in 2002. Olive trees, pastures, cereals and vineyards account for the majority of organic crops. Main production areas are the Alentejo (in the Southeast), Beira Interior (Centre-east) and Tras-os-Montes (Northeast). These regions are located in the interior, in less developed and less polluted areas than regions along the coast. Organic food products have also been diversifying: pastures, olive products (olives and oil), cereals, dried fruits are leading organic farming products in Portugal. The farmers’ sudden interest in organic agriculture clearly has to do with the financial support offered by the European Union (EU Regulation 2078/92) and higher market prices. In some cases, such as the olive groves of the northern and central areas, traditional farming approximates organic farming methods, which eases conversion. With horticulture or orchards, the change is not so easy, and therefore there are not as many farmers converting. The supply is still less than the demand, reflecting the fact that organic farming is still at an initial stage. The Portuguese are growing more conscious of health and the environment, which explains the rising interest in natural foods and fibres. Their increasing purchasing power encourages this development. However, these positive factors for the expansion of organic production may not be enough to guarantee a continuous increase in the future, since several obstacles hinder the farmers’ performance.

2001 Portugal had 705 hectares (1,742 acres) of organic (wine and table grape) vines (European Commission, 2010), % of the national total of 248 thousand hectares in 2001 (Onivins). Wine Production: 2001: 7,691,000 hl (Onivins). Wine consumption: 2001: 4,681,000 hl (Onivins). | Organic agriculture: 2001:Almost 48,000 hectares are managed organically in Progual. Growth has been particularly strong in the districts along the Spanish border (Trás-os-Montes, Beira Interior and Alentejo) where the effects of pollution are not yet as noticeable and where the traditional farming systems and crops are perfectly adapted to the regions, allowing for relatively easy pest control. Thus the conversion to organic farming is broadly accepted there, particularly among the youngest generation of farmers. Along the coastline, where there is a higher population density, the number of organic farms is not so high, and the average farm size is smaller. These differences are due to physical factors (orography and the availability of water) and to the kind of crops grown in the respective regions: greenhouse crops along the coastline supply the urban fringe, and dry farming along the border produces cereals and olives, which need larger areas.

2000 Portugal had 791 hectares (1,957 acres) of organic (wine and table grape) vines (European Commission, 2010), % of the national total of 246 thousand hectares in 2000. There were 713 hectares (1,760 acres) of organic grapes (Hilary Wright: 2000, p.96). The Vitis programme was set up in 2000 to help growers replant with improved grape varieties. Wine Production: 2000: 6,694,000 hl (Onivins). Wine Consumption: 2000: 5,020,000 hl (Onivins).

1999 Portugal had 855 hectares (2,112 acres) of organic (wine and table grape) vines (European Commission, 2010), X % of the national total of 260,000 hectares in 1999. Wine Production: 1999: 7,806,000 hl (Onivins 2001).

1998 Portugal had 782 hectares (1,932 acres) of organic (wine and table grape) vines (European Commission, 2010), % of the national total of 260 thousand hectares in 1998 (Onivins 2001). Wine Production: 1998: 3,750,000 hl (Onivins 2001). Organic Agriculture 1998: 1999: 29,533 hectares of organic farmland (SÖL (Stiftung & Ökologie Landbau), reprinted in ÖKO-Test-Bio-Fach Messejournal 2000, Figures for 12/98); 750 producers.

1997 Portugal had X ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 260,000ha (Onivins 2001) in 1997. | Wine Production: 1997: 6,124,000 hl (Onivins 2001). Organic Agriculture:11,584 hectares of organic farmland across 564 producers (SÖL (Stiftung & Ökologie Landbau), reprinted in ÖKO-Test-Bio-Fach Messejournal 2000, Figures for 12/98).

1996 Portugal had X ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 259,000 ha (Onivins 2001). Wine Production: 1996: hl.

1995 Portugal had X ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 261,000 ha (Onivins 2001). Wine Production: 7,255,000 hl (Onivins 2001)

1994 Portugal had X ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 267,000 ha (Onivins 2001). Wine Production: 6,521,000 hl (Onivins 2001)

1993 Portugal had X ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 272,000 ha (Onivins). Wine production 4,607,000 hl (Onivins 2001). Organics: Portugal had 103 hectares of organic grapes in 1993, according to the Associao Portuguese de Agriculture Biologic [sic], as reported by Hilary Wright (2000, p.96) % of the national total total of thousand hectares in 1993. Portugal had 2,799 hectares of organic farmland overall and 73 producers at this time.

1992 Portugal had X ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 360,000 ha (Onivins). Wine Production: 7,608,000 hl (Onivins).

1991 Portugal had X ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 371,000 ha (Onivins 2001). | Wine Production: 1991: 9,826,000 hl (Onivins 2001).

1990: Portugal had X ha of certified vineyards, % of the national total of 371,000 ha (Onivins). Wine Production: 11,372,000 hl (Onivins 2001).

Bibliography

European Commission Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, ‘An analysis of the EU Organic Sector’, June 2010, p.32.

Hilary Wright, The Great Organic Wine Guide (Piatkus, 2000).