28 Jul 2020

The industry body Vinpro, Agri Western Cape, the agricultural interest group Saai and Western Cape wine producers met last week to discuss the impact of the second ban on alcohol sales on the wine industry.

Mr Jannie Strydom, CEO of Agri Western Cape, says constructive discussions to save the wine industry and protect people’s livelihoods are critical. He says the ban is a potential disaster for an important agricultural sector and that the interests of primary producers and the wine value chain must be protected at all costs.

Mr Frncois Rossouw, CEO of Saai, says family farmers are the most vulnerable stakeholders in the value chain affected by the ban on wine sales. He says a further blockade in their marketing channels could have a catastrophic impact. “Wine and grape producers represent some of the oldest family farms in South Africa,” he says.

Mr Rico Basson, executive director of Vinpro, says in the past 14 weeks the industry has suffered a loss of revenue of R4.5 billion. He says job losses have already occurred as a result of Covid-19 regulations, and an estimated 18 000 more jobs could be lost. “Multiply 18 000 workers by five dependents each, then we look at almost 100 000 people facing total poverty,” Mr Basson said.