South Africa, currently ranked the fourth largest ”new world” wine producer, has seen its exports increase steadily between 2001 and 2005, rising from 177,3-million litres to 281,1-million litres last year, says Tai Collard, managing director of Cape-based direct wine marketer, Wine of the Month Club — currently the biggest direct market wine club in the country.
”That’s an increase of nearly 60% in the last five years, and for an agricultural product competing in a tough overseas market that’s really impressive,” he said.
According to the latest statistics, South Africa saw its exports rise from 177,3-million litres in 2001 to 217,6-million litres in 2002, 239,4-million litres in 2003, 267,7-million litres in 2004 and, finally, up to 281,1-million litres last year.
There are no clear statistics for 2006 as yet, according to Collard.
”But certainly,” he said, ”we are holding our own in the worldwide wine market. The quality of our wines is high and they are sought after. While it is important for us to increase volumes, we must not make the mistake of forsaking quality for quantity. It is a fine balance.” — I-Net Bridge