The Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development has granted aid worth 2.6 million euros to support the promotion of Andalusian wines in countries outside the European Union (EU). Specifically, these subsidies refer to the launch of a total of 54 promotional programs throughout 2024. Specifically, the incentives approved by the Regional Government are distributed among the provinces of Cádiz (almost 2.4 million euros), Córdoba (more than 180,000 euros) and Málaga (close to 41,000 euros). Once the year is over and the execution of the activities is confirmed, the Regional Government will proceed in 2025 to pay the corresponding incentives.
Among other actions, these grants support trade missions (trips by Andalusian businessmen to foreign countries), as well as the launching of promotions at points of sale in third countries and advertising campaigns in the media or social networks. Likewise, the organisation of reverse missions is also considered eligible for subsidies; that is, the visit of potential foreign buyers to Andalusia to learn more details about the Autonomous Community’s wine production. The incentives also support attendance at agri-food fairs held in countries outside the EU, the organisation of information days or the preparation of market studies.
As for the products that should be the focus of these promotional actions, numerous types of wines are contemplated, such as, for example, liqueur wines, sparkling wines or semi-sparkling wines. They can also refer to wines made from raisined or overripe grapes, organic wines and wines that are totally or partially dealcoholized.
Abroad
As regards the foreign territories receiving the promotion, the regulatory bases of the aid contemplate all those countries that do not belong to the European Union. The main recipients of these promotional activities are the markets of the United States (US), China and Japan, as well as the United Kingdom since its exit from the EU.
These grants, which amount to 50% of the costs of the activities carried out by the beneficiary wineries, are funded by the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF).
Promotion in 2023
This year, the Department of Agriculture has paid more than 1.1 million euros in aid to support wine promotion actions in third countries carried out during 2023. These funds have been allocated to a total of 36 actions aimed at improving its position abroad.
As for the origin of the wineries that benefited from the subsidies, the province of Cadiz stands out in particular, having received over one million euros in aid. In the case of Cordoba, the incentives paid have reached almost 76,000 euros.
Wine sector
According to the latest official data, the vineyard area in Andalusia in 2022 exceeds 27,000 hectares dedicated to table grapes, winemaking and raisin-making.
Specifically, more than 24,200 hectares correspond to Andalusian vineyards dedicated to winemaking, where almost 121,700 tons of grapes are obtained. This area is distributed among all the provinces, with Cadiz standing out in particular with 9,620 hectares and 51,520 tons of production. It is followed by Cordoba (5,138 hectares and 30,310 tons), Huelva (3,139 hectares and 26,653 tons) and Granada (2,802 hectares and 4,912 tons). For its part, Malaga has 1,955 hectares (5,575 tons); Almeria, 1,088 hectares (1,917 tons); Seville, 277 hectares (486 tons); and Jaen, 253 hectares (331 tons).
As for wineries, the total in Andalusia is 428 industries dedicated to the production of musts, wines and vinegars. By province, Cadiz stands out again with 34% of the total (146 wineries), followed by Cordoba (82), Granada (63) and Malaga (59). The number of wineries in Huelva is 30; those in Almeria, 21; those in Seville, 16; and those in Jaen, 11.
These agri-food industries in Andalusia produced a total of more than 900,000 hectolitres of wine (786,395 hectolitres) and grape must and juice (113,827 hectolitres) in the 2022-2023 campaign. Cadiz accounted for the majority of this production, exceeding 52% of the Andalusian total with 413,681 hectolitres of wine and must. The wineries in Córdoba produced 158,820 hectolitres; those in Huelva, 138.36 hectolitres; those in Granada, 32,105 hectolitres; and those in Malaga, 24,893 hectolitres.