SOUTH AFRICA: Grape harvest set for record yield - report

By Andy Morton | 17 May 2013

The grape crop benefited from a cold winter

This year's grape crop is set to be South Africa's biggest, despite a later-than-usual harvest.

The 2013 wine grape crop is expected to reach 1.5m tonnes, up 4.6% from 2008's record, according to wine farmer organisation VinPro this week citing figures from local drinks industry body SAWIS. The yield is 5.4% bigger than last year's harvest, VinPro said.

“Although the crop was harvested later than usual and over a short time, the cold, wet winter constituted ideal weather conditions during the flowering and berry set period (while) moderate weather conditions during this harvest season … contributed to the size and quality,” a VinPro report said.

The Worcester region is on course for “the biggest crop ever”, with only Robertson predicted to be down on last year's yield, VinPro said.

The body said Pinotage is expected to show especially good quality and size this year.

Last month, the head of South Africa's wine trade body, Wines of South Africa, announced she is stepping down. Su Birch will leave her post at the end of September.

To read the VinPro release with a full breakdown by region, click here.

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Sectors: Wine