Page 7 - SA_Wine_Guide_2026

General Info

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2004 – The groundbreaking Biodiversity SA Wine Industry Stats
& Wine Initiative (BWI) is initiated to in-
corporate biodiversity best practices into • South Africa is ranked the world’s
the local wine industry. eighth largest producer of wine with
2008 – South African wine exports reach 3.9% of the global total (2022 figures).
a record 407-million litres. • 89 384 hectares of vines is planted
2009 – The anniversary of 350 years of (55% white, 45% red plantings).
winemaking is celebrated. • Some 269 096 people are employed in
2010 – South Africa introduces the the wine industry, directly or indirectly.
world’s first sustainability seal as a guar- • In 1990, 84% of the vineyards were
antee of eco-friendly production. planted to white-wine varieties. In 2022,
2012 – An ethical seal that only produc- the figure was 55%.
ers who pass the WIETA audit criteria • 29.3% of South Africa’s total vineyards
annually are entitled to use is intro- are under 10 years old.
duced. Exports reach 417 million litres, • Of the country’s total annual harvest of
10 million litres more than the previous 1 068.3 million litres in 2022, 80.9% was
record. devoted to the making of wine, 4.0% to
2013 – Another record year for South Af- wine for brandy, 11.8% to distilling wine
rican wine exports, which break the 500 and 3.3% to grape juice concentrate and
million mark for the first time, reaching grape juice.
525.3 million litres for the year. • While total exports of wine decreased
2015 – South Africa achieves a signifi- by 5% to 368.8 million litres in 2022, the
cant 50% increase in gold medals at the South African wine industry remains fo-
International Wine & Spirit Competition. cused on its road to recovery following
2016 – South Africa earned higher pric- the pandemic.
es for its wines in several key markets. • There are 2 487 primary producers,
2017 – Total exports of wine increased 458 private wine cellars, 43 producer
by 4.7% to 448.5 million litres in 2017. cellars and 23 producing wholesalers
2018 – The 4% increase in value to (2022 figures).
R9.06 billion reflects the positive senti- • The UK is South Africa’s number one
ments towards South African wine in export destination, followed by European
international markets. countries such as Germany, France and
2020 – The overall value of South Af- The Netherlands. Canada, the USA, Chi-
rica’s wine exports increased by 7.7% na and African countries are increasingly
despite a five-week long ban on exports important destinations.
and various other challenges related to
the Covid-19 pandemic and a recovery
from the big drought (2015-2018). Source: WOSA.co.za

SA Wine Guide