Realidad problemática

0 20 40 60 80 100 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ALENTEJO ha 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ENTRE DOURO E MINHO

ha 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 CONTINENTE ha 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 ALGARVE ha 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 BEIRA LITORAL ha 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 TRÁS-OS-MONTES ha 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 BEIRA INTERIOR ha 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 RIBATEJO E OESTE ha

Marketing is perhaps one of the most limiting bottlenecks at least for the small farmers, who prefer to work alone and resist to the idea of founding a cooperative. It is also problematic to create a brand, since much effort will be necessary to struggle against bureaucracy. So many still prefer to sell their wines in bulk to the local market, without any identification of the producer. However, occasionally we find farmers who export almost the whole production (USA, Japan, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland) or market it through some of the most important supermarkets (Continente, Pão d’Açucar,etc.) but these are a minority.

During fairs like Terra Sã, which takes place every year, the public also has the oppor- tunity to purchase these wines, which usually are sold out very quickly.

Conclusions

In spite of the hindrances presented above most of the inquired believe that organic viti- culture has many potentialities that were not yet exploited. The fact that in normal years the diseases are relatively easy to control, with products that are familiar to the most traditional farmers, makes the conversion into organic farming attractive, since the sub- sidy is rewarding (483 ECU/Ha/Year) and the better prices offered by the demand are an important added value to a production, that as seen above, cover large areas along the border with Spain, which is considered to be an unfavourable area and has been suffer- ing from depopulation since decades.

The production is still low and the market tends to extend; so the perspectives for the future are good and it is foreseen that it will take time until the offer matches the de- mand.

Organic farmers are usually younger and with a higher level of education than the con- ventional ones, but even so it is still difficult for them to work together. Thus coopera- tives are a solution that is not well accepted, although these could solve some of the most embarrassing problems such as the transformation of the grapes into wine in good conditions and the marketing of the production. Under these conditions it would also be easier to get permanent technical support, if the cooperative would have a good dimen- sion.

Associated to wine production is often rural tourism. This constitutes a good diversifi- cation of revenues and a benefit for the maintenance of the architectural and cultural heritages as well as of the landscape (in North Portugal are still common the vineyards planted on terraces). Some producers included their farms in the Wine Routes and be- yond accommodation they also offer visits to the vineyards and cellar tour, as well as tasting and retail wine sales. These initiatives contribute to the settlement of people, who otherwise would not find a job in the area, and create wealth in regions that often have been devoted to abandon for not being rewarding to produce whatsoever.

As we have seen there are good opportunities to the expansion of organic viticulture. However to assure a better acceptance abroad of the Portuguese wines produced with organic grapes, it is essential that efforts may be canalised to overcome some technical problems, as referred for the disinfecting of musts, and this involves investment in re- search and technical training, otherwise there is no production of organic wine!

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank to Dr. Helga Willer and SÖL for the invitation to present this poster as well as to DGDR for the unpublished data supplied.

References

Agrobio (1993) A Joaninha, nr.43, July/November 1993, Lisbon, Portugal, 5-7 Ferreira, J. et al (1999) Manual de Agricultura Biológica, DGDR, Lisbon, Portugal Firmino, A. (1999) Modo de produção biológico: a vinha. In: Actas do VIII Colóquio Ibérico de Geografia, Volume I, DGPR, UNL, Lisbon, Portugal, 113-119

Frescata & Mexia (1995) Trabalho em traça da uva na região de Setúbal, ATEV, Portu- gal

Geoideia (1998) Potencialidades de criação de emprego no âmbito da agricultura biológica, Geoideia e Espaço e Desenvolvimento, Lisbon, Portugal

IVV (1999) Anuário de Vinhos e Aguardentes de Portugal, IVV, Lisbon, Portugal Paccalin, J. (1993) Cholestérol:Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde?. In: Science & Vie, Hors de

Serie, Paris, France, 48-57

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