South Africa: Local wine exports reached record high in 2012

South Africa is anticipating a grape crop of more than 1.3-million tons for 2013 – a record in the wine industry’s history – which could, depending on market demand, potentially aid wine exports. The country’s wine exports reached a record of 417-million litres in 2012, up 17% from 2011. The outlook for the South African wine industry remains positive, partially owing to a worldwide shortage of wines as a result of a significant drop in the harvests of competitor wine-producing nations in Europe, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand owing to climate conditions. Although a decrease in local vineyard plantings is evident, improved viticultural techniques employed by producers should improve the yield and quality of vineyards, states Nederburg Wine Farms group manager Hannes van Rensburg. South Africa is in the fortunate position of being able to explore new wine-growing opportunities, whereas legislation in many European wine-producing countries prohibits the planting of certain grape varieties outside prescribed areas, he adds.

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