AS SA’s wine producers face up to the devastating drought, their association is urging them to find new ways of turning a profit, in order to stay in business.VinPro data shows 15% of wine grape producers are profitable, 55% are at break-even and 30% farming at a loss. Cellars struggle to obtain wine prices above those needed to break even.SA’s nearly 100,000ha of vineyards generate about 3% of the world’s wine production.Wine producers in the Western Cape, SA’s main wine-producing province, are facing a harsh season due to drought and heat. Early indications are that the harvest will be smaller this year, although VinPro predicts a higher quality.Farmers in the province are also counting their losses after fires destroyed 3,000ha of vegetation and vineyards. Grapes were also contaminated with smoke.Speaking at a conference organised by VinPro and Nedbank at the weekend, VinPro’s wine cellar division manager Christo Conradie said input costs were rising sharply, with income not keep...
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