Argentina’s grape harvest falls 8%

The latest harvest report from Argentina’s National Viticulture Institute confirmed what growers in Mendoza and San Juan had already feared: the 2026 grape crop for winemaking fell 8% from the previous season, even as prices paid to producers continued to slide.

The institute said the country harvested 18,391,299 quintals of grapes this year. Mendoza accounted for 13,147,187 quintals, while San Juan produced 4,097,938 quintals. Officials said the decline had been anticipated by technicians who surveyed vineyards in both provinces and published early estimates in February. The final figures were close to those forecasts, with a gap of only 2% in Mendoza and almost no difference in San Juan.

The institute said the accuracy of those estimates helps wineries and growers make decisions about processing and production. But the numbers have done little to ease pressure on producers, who say they are facing lower prices at a time when their costs keep rising.

Growers and industry groups say the market is being shaped by weak wine sales and a long downturn in domestic consumption, which they put at about 15 liters per person a year, one of the lowest levels in years. At the same time, they say production costs have climbed sharply, including in dollar terms, squeezing margins across the sector.

In San Juan, some producers say prices have fallen even with a smaller harvest. Eduardo Sánchez, a grape grower in the province, said he has been offered between 140 and 200 pesos per kilo for grapes this season. He said he sold his crop for 240 pesos per kilo in 2024 and for 200 pesos in 2025. He added that those who turned grapes into wine or must received even less per kilo.

Sánchez said the situation has become harder because of rising electricity bills and other operating expenses. He said many growers feel overlooked as public debate focuses on mining rather than agriculture.

The harvest decline had been expected after early field surveys pointed to lower yields in both provinces. Even so, growers say the drop has not translated into better returns at the farm gate, leaving many vineyards under financial strain as they head into another production cycle.