HIGH INFLATION, energy crises and supply-chain disruptions led to higher-than-usual price increases, which, in general terms, led to decreases in consumption and a rise in the value of exports. This was the picture painted by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) in their 2023 report on the state of these sectors around the world.

The size of South Africa’s national vineyard in 2022 was estimated at 124kha, a fall of 1% compared to 2021 and the eighth year in a row that the country has seen a reduction in hectares under vine following a severe drought that had a heavy impact on the country’s wine production for several years in succession. In volume terms, South Africa’s wine production in 2022 was 10.2mhl, a decrease of 6% compared to 2021, however it remains the eighth-largest producer in the world, with the latest Top 10 rankings as follows: 1 Italy, 2 France, 3 Spain, 4 USA, 5 Australia, 6 Chile, 7 Argentina, 8 South Africa, 9 Germany, 10 Portugal. (The top three countries account for just over half of the world’s production, with the top eight accounting for more than 77% of all wine produced).

South African wine exports in 2022 were put at 4.4mhl, a year-on-year volume decrease of 8.7% but increasing in value by 4% to €660m.

Contrary to the global trend, the estimated wine consumption in South Africa rose by 16% in 2022 relative to 2021, with 4.6mhl the highest level ever recorded – more than Canada, less than Australia, with the highest consumption figures recorded in the USA (33mhl), France (25mhl), Italy (23mhl), Germany (19mhl) and the UK (13mhl).

For country-by-country figures regarding the biggest wine producers on the basis of volume, vineyards and exports as well as the largest importers and consumers of wine, click here. For the OIV’s full report, click here.