Evora, Portugal, Sept. 23, 2026 (Lusa) - Wine exports from Portugal's Alentejo region to Brazil rose by 9% in volume over the first eight months of this year, with the Brazilian market now accounting for a fifth of sales to other countries, it was announced on Wednesday.
In a statement, the Alentejo Regional Wine Commission (CVRA) revealed that the Alentejo Wine Festival is returning to Brazil this year, visiting the cities of Salvador, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, until December.
«Our focus on the Brazilian market reflects the positive performance of Alentejo wines in this market,» emphasised the CVRA, noting that «in the first eight months of the year, exports to Brazil grew by 9% in volume».
According to this wine commission, the results achieved reinforce «the country's leading position amongst export destinations for Alentejo wines and its strategic role in the region's internationalisation».
The Alentejo Wine Festival «reinforces the region's commitment to a market that accounts for around 20% of Alentejo wine exports», it reiterated.
When contacted by the Lusa news agency, the president of the CVRA, Luís Sequeira, emphasised that «the Brazilian market has always been important for Alentejo wines», stressing that «this year is proving particularly positive».
«It seems clear to us that the introduction of the Mercosur agreement, which came into force on 1 May, has had an impact, leading immediately to a gradual reduction in tax rates, with a 3% reduction already in place this year,» he said.
Sequeira emphasised that «these factors have been generating greater enthusiasm in terms of sales», which is why the CVRA has set a target in its strategic plan to «double sales to Brazil over a five-year period».
«Between 2016 and 2025, we saw growth of 135% – in other words, well over double – which means that if we achieved this in 10 years, now, given these favourable circumstances, it seems absolutely clear to us that it is possible,» he said.
According to him, the volume of Alentejo wines exported to Brazil in 2025 reached 6.6 million litres.
He stated that «it is not just Mercosur» that is influencing these results in Brazil, but also investment in promotional activities, with «new approaches and, above all, expanding our presence across the whole country».
«Whilst in the past we were very focused on the most significant markets, such as São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, this year we have already begun expanding our promotional activities to Fortaleza and Recife, and we will also be expanding into Brasília,» he revealed.
«We are practically doubling our investment effort, which this year will already be very close to €1 million in Brazil,» he added.
Following the first edition of the Alentejo Wine Festival held in 2025 in the city of São Paulo, the event returned to Brazil with the first stage of the initiative taking place last weekend in Salvador.
Next up is Rio de Janeiro, on 16 and 17 October, at the Consulate-General of Portugal, culminating in São Paulo in December.
The festival includes a range of initiatives, such as the «Best Alentejo Wine Sommelier in Brazil» competition, which aims to identify the region's ambassador in this market and whose winner will be announced in November.
The CVRA was established in 1989 and is responsible for the protection and defence of the Alentejo Controlled Designation of Origin (DOC) and the ‘Alentejano' Geographical Indication, as well as for the certification and control of origin and quality, and the promotion and fostering of sustainability.
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