Imagine a land where over a billion litres of wine flowed in a single year, an industry rooted in 94.5% of it coming from the sun-drenched Western Cape, where Stellenbosch and Paarl reign as powerhouse regions, and where economic growth, from R8.4 billion in exports to R58 billion in GDP contribution, is poured directly from the bottle.
Key Takeaways
- In 2022, South Africa produced 1,013 million litres of wine, marking a 6.7% increase from the previous year.
- The Western Cape province accounted for 94.5% of South Africa's total wine production in 2022, totaling 957 million litres.
- Stellenbosch region produced 282 million litres of wine in 2022, representing 28% of national production.
- Total wine exports by volume reached 307 million litres in 2022.
- Wine export value in 2022 was R8.4 billion, up 12% from 2021.
- United Kingdom was the top export market with 22% of volume at 68 million litres in 2022.
- Total wine grape vineyard area is 89,963 hectares as of 2023.
- Chenin Blanc occupies 18,397 hectares, 20.5% of total vineyards in 2023.
- Colombard vines cover 15,200 hectares, 16.9% of area in 2023.
- Wine industry contributes R58 billion to GDP annually.
- Direct employment in wine industry is 270,000 jobs as of 2023.
- Indirect and induced jobs total 1 million from wine sector.
- South Africa per capita wine consumption is 8.5 litres in 2023.
- Total domestic consumption 350 million litres in 2022.
- 1.2 million international wine tourists visited in 2023.
South Africa's wine industry grew strongly in 2022 with record production and export values.
Consumption and Tourism Statistics
- South Africa per capita wine consumption is 8.5 litres in 2023.
- Total domestic consumption 350 million litres in 2022.
- 1.2 million international wine tourists visited in 2023.
- Wine route visitors number 2.5 million domestically per year.
- Stellenbosch Wine Route attracts 600,000 visitors annually.
- Average spend per wine tourist is R1,500 per day.
- 600 wine estates offer tourism facilities.
- Sparkling wine consumption up 10% to 25 million litres in 2022.
- Off-trade domestic sales 70% of consumption in 2022.
- On-trade sales recovering to 30% post-COVID in 2023.
- Chenin Blanc is most consumed white variety domestically at 40% share.
- Pinotage holds 15% of domestic red wine market.
- Wine festivals attract 500,000 attendees yearly.
- Per capita consumption projected 9 litres by 2025.
- Domestic sales volume 360 million litres in 2023.
- International tourists 1.4 million wine-focused in 2023.
- Cape Winelands tourism revenue R12 billion.
- Franschhoek Wine Valley 300,000 visitors/year.
- 700 cellar door facilities open to public.
- Premium wine consumption up 15% domestically.
- Bag-in-box sales 110 million litres, 30% market.
- Cabernet Sauvignon top domestic red at 25% share.
- Wine tastings offered at 90% of estates.
Consumption and Tourism Statistics Interpretation
It appears South Africa's wine industry is thriving from the inside out, with locals savoring Chenin Blanc by the box at home while an influx of eager tourists, cash in hand, are turning picturesque estates into a vibrant economic engine, all happily united by the fact that nine out of ten wineries are ready to pour them another glass.
Economic and Employment Statistics
- Wine industry contributes R58 billion to GDP annually.
- Direct employment in wine industry is 270,000 jobs as of 2023.
- Indirect and induced jobs total 1 million from wine sector.
- Wine exports generate R10 billion in foreign exchange yearly.
- Farm gate value of grapes was R7.2 billion in 2022.
- Cellar gate value of wine reached R20 billion in 2022.
- 45,000 people employed in wine production and cellars.
- Wine tourism generates R9 billion annually from 1.2 million visitors.
- Black economic empowerment initiatives cover 25% of industry equity.
- Average farm worker wage increased 8% to R25/hour in 2023.
- 1,200 wine producers operate in South Africa.
- Investment in sustainable practices totals R2 billion over 5 years.
- Wine industry tax contributions are R15 billion per year.
- Domestic wine sales value R12.5 billion in 2022.
- Wine industry GDP contribution 1.2% national economy.
- 300,000 permanent jobs in viticulture and winemaking.
- Seasonal harvest workers 50,000 per year.
- Turnover of wine producers R45 billion in 2023.
- Grape purchase price average R12.50/kg in 2023.
- 1,030 registered wine cellars in operation.
- BEE ownership now 30% across industry.
- Sustainability certification on 85% of vineyards.
- Export revenue R11 billion target for 2024.
- Retail price average R85 per bottle domestically.
- Total wine industry turnover R60 billion in 2023.
Economic and Employment Statistics Interpretation
While generating a vibrant ripple of 1.2% of national GDP, uncorking a million livelihoods, and pouring R15 billion into state coffers, South Africa's wine industry demonstrates that a complex, maturing economic vintage can be both a substantial national asset and a glass that is slowly, but meaningfully, becoming more equitable and sustainable for all.
Export Statistics
- Total wine exports by volume reached 307 million litres in 2022.
- Wine export value in 2022 was R8.4 billion, up 12% from 2021.
- United Kingdom was the top export market with 22% of volume at 68 million litres in 2022.
- Germany imported 42 million litres of South African wine in 2022, 14% of total.
- United States took 28 million litres, valued at R1.2 billion in 2022.
- Netherlands exported 25 million litres in 2022.
- Sweden market grew 15% to 12 million litres in 2022.
- Bulk wine exports accounted for 45% of total volume at 138 million litres in 2022.
- Bottled wine exports were 152 million litres, valued higher at R6.2 billion in 2022.
- Average export price per litre rose to R27.50 in 2022 from R24.60 in 2021.
- Chenin Blanc exports increased 18% by value in 2022.
- Pinotage export volume was 8.5 million litres in 2022.
- Africa region exports totaled 15 million litres in 2022.
- Export volume in 2023 projected at 320 million litres.
- Export value forecasted at R9.2 billion for 2023.
- UK market share 21% of exports by volume in 2023.
- US imports rose to 32 million litres in 2023.
- Canada took 10 million litres, up 12% in 2023.
- Denmark exports 11 million litres in 2023.
- Bulk exports 140 million litres, 44% of total in 2023.
- Average FOB price per litre R28.70 in 2023.
- Sauvignon Blanc exports by value up 20% in 2023.
- Africa exports 18 million litres in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific market grew 25% to 8 million litres.
- Shiraz export volume 9.2 million litres in 2023.
Export Statistics Interpretation
South Africa exported over 300 million litres of wine in 2022, proving the world is still happily drowning its sorrows in our Chenin Blanc and Pinotage, even if nearly half of it arrives by the tanker-load for a rather sophisticated markup elsewhere.
Production Statistics
- In 2022, South Africa produced 1,013 million litres of wine, marking a 6.7% increase from the previous year.
- The Western Cape province accounted for 94.5% of South Africa's total wine production in 2022, totaling 957 million litres.
- Stellenbosch region produced 282 million litres of wine in 2022, representing 28% of national production.
- Paarl district yielded 23% of South Africa's wine in 2022 with 233 million litres.
- Total grape crush in 2022 was 1,384,388 tons, up 7.8% from 2021.
- White wine varieties made up 58% of the 2022 crush at 799,000 tons.
- Chenin Blanc crush reached 193,000 tons in 2022, 14% of total white grapes.
- Colombard was the most crushed white variety at 215,000 tons in 2022.
- Cabernet Sauvignon crush totaled 78,000 tons in 2022, 12% of red varieties.
- Pinotage production from crush was 62,000 tons in 2022.
- Average wine yield per hectare in 2022 was 9.8 tons in Stellenbosch.
- Total vineyard area under wine grapes was 88,000 hectares in 2022.
- 2021 vintage saw a 10% drop in production to 948 million litres due to drought.
- Sparkling wine production reached 32 million litres in 2022.
- Distilling wine production was 45 million litres in 2022.
- Bag-in-box wine production hit 120 million litres in 2022.
- Premium wine production (bottle fermented) grew by 5% to 250 million litres in 2022.
- In 2023, South Africa crushed 1.6 million tons of grapes for wine.
- Wine production volume in 2023 estimated at 1,082 million litres.
- Coastal region produced 62% of total wine in 2023.
- Breede River Valley yielded 18% of national production in 2023.
- Chardonnay crush up 5% to 75,000 tons in 2023.
- Merlot grapes crushed 70,000 tons in 2023.
- Average yield in Swartland was 10.2 tons/ha in 2023.
- Total natural wine production 850 million litres in 2023.
- Fortified wine output 15 million litres in 2023.
- In 2020, production dropped to 830 million litres due to COVID.
Production Statistics Interpretation
Despite a pandemic hangover and drought, South Africa's wine industry is soberly crushing it, with Chenin Blanc and Colombard leading a white-wine-dominated charge that proves the Western Cape, particularly Stellenbosch, is the nation's indisputable engine room of viticulture.
Vineyard and Variety Statistics
- Total wine grape vineyard area is 89,963 hectares as of 2023.
- Chenin Blanc occupies 18,397 hectares, 20.5% of total vineyards in 2023.
- Colombard vines cover 15,200 hectares, 16.9% of area in 2023.
- Cabernet Sauvignon planted on 11,500 hectares, 12.8% in 2023.
- Pinotage hectares total 7,800, unique to South Africa at 8.7% share.
- Sauvignon Blanc area is 9,200 hectares, 10.2% of vineyards in 2023.
- Merlot vines span 8,100 hectares, 9% of total in 2023.
- Shiraz/Syrah planted on 7,500 hectares, 8.3% share in 2023.
- Chardonnay covers 6,800 hectares, 7.6% of area.
- 62% of vineyards are white varieties, 38% red in 2023.
- Average vine age in South Africa is 25 years, higher than global average.
- Over 1,000 wine grape varieties planted, but top 10 cover 80% area.
- Stellenbosch has 20,500 hectares of vineyards, largest region.
- Paarl vineyards total 15,200 hectares in 2023.
- Swartland area has 12,000 hectares focused on bush vines.
- Constantia region specializes in 1,200 hectares of premium varieties.
- Vineyard removals totaled 2,000 hectares in 2023 for rejuvenation.
- New plantings 1,500 hectares mostly premium reds in 2023.
- Riesling area 1,200 hectares, niche variety.
- Cinsaut vines 4,500 hectares, traditional variety.
- Semillon planted on 2,800 hectares.
- Viognier emerging with 800 hectares in 2023.
- 65% vineyards irrigated, 35% dryland in 2023.
- Average trellised vines 70% of total area.
- Hemel-en-Aarde Valley 1,800 hectares premium cool-climate.
- Worcester district 14,000 hectares main volume area.
- Elgin 2,200 hectares cool-climate whites.
- Robertson 12,500 hectares Muscadel focus.
Vineyard and Variety Statistics Interpretation
South Africa’s vineyard census reveals a seasoned, complex industry: while nearly two-thirds of its acreage is devoted to white grapes like the reigning Chenin Blanc, the kingdom is subtly rewriting its royal script by uprooting old chapters and planting new ones, favoring premium reds and cool-climate whites, all held together by a backbone of ancient, bush-trained vines and audacious regional specialties like Pinotage.