Wine 'tracker' provides sustainability footprint

South Africa’s wine exports have been on a steady upward growth trajectory, according to Siobhan Thompson, CEO of Wines of South Africa (Wosa). In 1992 the country exported around 22 million litres compared to the 416.9 million in 2012. “Our 2014 figures show a drop in exports but this is not a negative,” said Thompson. “In 2013 we exported 525.7 million litres of wine but this dramatic increase was due to a wine shortage across the world that South African producers took advantage of. Almost 65% of the 525 million was in bulk exports,” said Thompson. “In 2014 we saw exports decrease but it was to a normal level of 422.4 million litres – with a far better balance between bulk and packaged exports.” “One of our biggest strategies – besides growing our export footprint – is also to increase our product value.” She said whilst South African wine was ranked as high quality it was often a cheaper option on the retail shelf internationally. “We have launched a system in which our wine can be tracked proving our production integrity as well as our sustainability footprint.