Wine shipping: The state of South Africa's wine industry

As one of the world’s top wine-producing countries, South Africa’s wine shipping industry is worth paying attention to. 

In 2021, South Africa’s vineyard surfaces fell by 2%, compared to 2020, according to the International Organisation of Vine and Wine. After battling a severe drought between 2015 and 2017, grape growers dealt with higher average temperatures and more severe heat waves, leading to a continued decline in vineyard surface area for seven years in a row.

Since 2014, South Africa has lost 6% of its surface area.

South Africa’s estimated consumption in 2021 was 4.0 million hectoliters (Mhl), up 27.5% from 2020, when local alcohol sales were prohibited for 14 weeks following the lockdown caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, this is still 5.3% lower than its five-year average.

Overall, South Africa’s wine industry is seeing a rebound. And wine shipping is playing a big role in that.

Wine shipping: The revival of exports in South Africa

Wine shipping is a big business in South Africa, and wine exports play a significant role in the economy.

The revival of South African wine exports is largely due to the progressive lifting of lockdown measures, compared to last year, when stringent lockdown policies were in place. In 2021, the total volume of wine exported from South Africa reached 4.8 Mhl (33% higher than previously recorded). 

And its value was 634 million euros, an increase of 18.6%. In terms of quantity, bottled, bulk and sparkling wine have recovered strongly, with volumes up by 28%, 49% and 32%, respectively. At the same time, volumes were up by 15%, 37% and 36%. 

South Africa’s wine production was 10.6 Mhl in 2021, up 2% from its 2020 level. The volume was back to pre-drought average production levels, which were recorded before the start of drought conditions in 2016. 

This is good news for wine lovers and wine industry experts alike. And it will be interesting to see how South Africa's wine shipping industry evolves over the next year.

Finding the right wine shipping partner

When it comes to shipping wine, there is a lot to consider: 

• Customs clearance: Shipping can be tricky when it comes to customs regulations. Make sure your partner is up-to-date on the latest rules.

• Transportation: Wine is a delicate product, so it's important to find a partner that offers transport options to preserve the wine’s quality while in transit..

• Storage: The way wine is stored can impact its quality. Find a partner that offers temperature-controlled storage if your wine requires it.

This is why it’s crucial to find a wine shipping partner you can trust, to get your wine to its destination in optimum  condition. If you’re interested in wine shipping from South Africa, or any other wine-producing country, be sure to find a partner with experience shipping wines/alcoholic beverages internationally.

With the right company, you can be sure your wine arrives safely and on time every time. Contact us and learn more about our wine shipping services.