By early December, industry strategists estimated that 1,183,323 tons of grapes would be harvested if ideal conditions prevail through to the first three months of 2003, which would represent a 9.7% increase on the 2002 harvest. Larger harvests are expected in all the main districts of the Western Cape, especially Stellenbosch, Paarl and Malmesbury.
SOUTH AFRICA: Bumper wine crop predicted
South Africa is anticipating its largest ever wine harvest after an excellent winter and cool start to the growing season and a large number of red wine vines starting to bear.
December 17, 2002