In a statement sent to Lusa News Agency, CVRA indicated that, according to data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), “Alentejo wine exports grew 20 percent in value, with €32 million in revenue generated”, in the first six months of this year.

Data from INE also show that “about 12 million bottles [were] sold to the foreign market, which translates into more than nine million litres exported”, which represents an increase of 14 percent compared to the first half of last year.

“The average price per litre of wine also followed the upward trend, with an increase of 5 percent, to 3.48 € per litre,” said CVRA.

For the president of CVRA, Francisco Mateus: “this growth in the first half of the year is a very positive sign of the values” that the region can reach this year.

“Usually, the second semesters are stronger in terms of exports”, he recalled, expressing confidence that 2021 could be “the year with the best results, since there is a record”.

The numbers for the first semester “exceed the results achieved by the region in the pre-pandemic period”, in other words, before the covid-19 pandemic, congratulated the CVRA.

In his analysis of the data, the president of the wine committee highlighted the fact that the value of exported wine has risen more than the quantity, which results in an appreciation of the average price.

"In the top 10 of the 89 markets to which it exported, all registered an increase in the average price, which demonstrates that the quality of Alentejo wines is recognized by importers and consumers, who are willing to pay more for the region's wines", argued Francisco Matthew.

Until June, the Alentejo Controlled Denomination of Origin (DOC) wine was sold at an average price of 5.04 € per litre and Regional Alentejano at 3.06 € per litre, which contrasts with national averages of, respectively, 3 .02 € and 2.44 €.

Francisco Mateus praised “the exceptional reaction of Alentejo producers”, who “are managing to work very well in international markets, despite the difficulties imposed by the pandemic, which makes it more difficult to monitor the markets and the work of importers and retail”.

In the first six months of last year, Alentejo exported 8.1 million litres of wine, corresponding to 27 million € in revenue, at an average price per litre of 3.32 €.