Wine exports back on track 11 September 2007

Wosa reports improvement
 

After taking a serious dip in the past year or so,  South African wine exports are showing a steady rise, according to Wines of South Africa .

 Sue Birch, of Wosa says total exports across all markets are 10% higher for the first seven months of 2007 than the same period last year. She says they expect to maintain the growth rate for the year. The previous year saw exports drop by about 5 %.

Sales in the UK, SA’s largest market, are also recovering. They have improved some 3% on the corresponding period in 2006 and the average retail price per bottle had risen to £3.91.

Supermarket leader Tesco has launched an expanded Cape range, while Sainsbury reported a 25% growth in the volume of SA wines sold in the year. More good news for the industry is that the country’s biggest export brand, Kumala, had retained its status as one of the top 10 retail brands, despite the drop in sales that had followed a change in ownership. First Cape, Namaqua, Pearly Bay and Robert’s Rock continued to show growth,  as do brands like Spier, Stormhoek, Douglas Green, Nederburg, Beyerskloof and Boschendal.

In October Wosa will present the so-called Mega Tasting at Earl’s Court in London, when more than 200 local producers will show their wines to a pan-European audience. Showcasing over 2 000 wines, it will include a series of exclusive blind tastings for international media.