Wine industry grows in stature

The growing importance of SA’s wine industry is reflected in the results of a recent study that reveals its annual impact on the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew to R26.2bn in 2008. According to the study, undertaken by Conningarth Economists for the South African Wine Industry Information and Systems (Sawis), this is a substantial increase – the figure stood at R22.5 bn in 2003. The wine industry's contribution represents 2.2% of the total GDP. Of the R26.2bn GDP created by the wine industry, about R14.2bn remained in the Western Cape where the industry supports employment opportunities to the tune of 275 606.