Grape producers feel the heat

The South African wine grape

harvest may be significantly

smaller due to the impact of

the searing heat and drought

throughout the season.

This is according to a

harvest estimate by the

industry conducted in the

second week of January this

year.

“Larger crops than in 2015

are expected in the Orange

River and Klein Karoo,

while the other wine grape

producing regions all predict

a decrease to a greater or

smaller extent,” said Francois

Viljoen, manager of the

VinPro Consultation Service.

In the Western Cape the

drought is putting extensive

pressure on the agricultural

sector at large, particularly

the wine producers, Alan

Winde, minister of economic

opportunities said last week.

“This is going to have major

cost implications for our

economy.”

According to Viljoen the

heat and drought result in

lighter bunches and smaller

berries – even in areas where

producers have access to

sufficient irrigation water.

“On the upside, the

vineyards and grapes are very

healthy,” he said.