SA Wine Industry Stats

FOR STATISTICS supplied by the South African wine industry body SAWIS, click hereFor stats from the OIV representing all of the major wine-producing countries around the globe, see below.

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ACCORDING to statistics provided in April 2023 by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) based in Dijon, France, the area under vine throughout the world was estimated at 7.3-million hectares – the figure for 2022 being marginally lower than in 2021. Total wine production was estimated at 258-million hectolitres (mhl) – down from 260 mhl in 2021 and 263 mhl in 2020, which was slightly up from 2019, which was down from 292 mhl in 2018 and 250 mhl in 2017, the lowest in the 21st century to date.

 

The OIV’s 2022 data has South Africa ranked eighth among the biggest wine-producing countries on the planet, ahead of Germany and Portugal, behind Australia, Chile and Argentina. The Top 3 – Italy, France and Spain – account for just over half of the world’s production, with the Top 8 accounting for more than 77% of all wine produced – volumes given in millions of hectolitres (mhl):

1     Italy – 49.8 mhl
50.2 mhl in 2021, 49.1 in 2020, 47.5 in 2019
2     France – 45.6 mhl
37.6 mhl in 2021, 46.6 in 2020, 42.2 in 2019
3     Spain – 35.7 mhl
35.3 mhl in 2021, 40.7 in 2020, 33.7 in 2019
4     USA – 22.4 mhl
24.1 mhl in 2021, 22.8 in 2020, 25.6 in 2019
5     Australia – 12.7 mhl
14.2 mhl in 2021, 10.6 in 2020, 12.0 in 2019
6     Chile – 12.4 mhl
13.4 mhl in 2021, 10.3 in 2020, 11.9 n 2019
7     Argentina – 11.5 mhl
12.5 mhl in 2021, 10.8 in 2020, 13.0 in 2019
8     South Africa – 10.2 mhl
10.6 mhl in 2021, 10.4 in 2020, 9.7 in 2019
9     Germany – 8.9 mhl
8.0 mhl in 2021, 8.4 in 2020, 8.2 in 2019
10   Portugal – 6.8 mhl
7.3 mhl in 2021, 6.4 in 2020, 6.5 in 2019
11   Russia – 4.7 mhl
4.5 mhl in 2021, 4.4 in 2020, 4.6 in 2019
12   China – 4.2 mhl
5.9 mhl in 2021, 6.6 in 2020, 7.8 in 2019
13   Romania – 3.9 mhl
4.5 mhl in 2021, 3.6 in 2020, 3.8 in 2019
14   New Zealand – 3.8 mhl
2.7 mhl in 2021, 3.3 in 2020, 3.0 in 2019
15   Brazil – 3.2 mhl
3.6 mhl in 2021, 1.9 in 2020, 2.0 in 2019
16   Hungary – 2.9 mhl
2.6 mhl in 2021, 2.4 in 2020, 2.7 in 2019
17   Austria – 2.3 mhl
2.5 mhl in 2021, 2.4 in 2020, 2.5 in 2019
18   Greece – 2.1 mhl
2.4 mhl in 2021, 2.3 in 2020, 2.4 in 2019
19   Georgia – 2.1 mhl
2.1 mhl in 2021, 1.8 in 2020, 1.8 in 2019
20   Moldova – 1.4 mhl
1.4 mhl in 2021, 0.9 in 2020, 1.5 in 2019

 

The countries with the biggest vineyard plantings are as follows, with the Top 6 representing 56% of the world’s total vineyard surface area:

1    Spain – 955 000 hectares (963 000 ha in 2021, 961 000 in 2020, 966 000 in 2019)
2    France – 812 000 hectares (805 000 ha in 2021, 799 000 in 2020, 794 000 in 2019)
3    China – 785 000 hectares (785 000 ha in 2021, 783 000 in 2020, 781 000 in 2019)
4    Italy – 718 000 hectares (718 000 ha in 2021, 719 000 in 2020, 714 000 in 2019)
5    Türkiye – 410 000 hectares (419 000 ha in 2021, 431 000 in 2020, 436 000 in 2019)
6    USA – 390 000 hectares (393 000 ha in 2021, 402 000 in 2020, 407 000 in 2019)
7    Argentina – 207 000 hectares (211 000 ha in 2021, 215 000 in 2020, 215 000 in 2019)
8    Chile – 196 000 hectares (1960 000 ha in 2021, 207 000 in 2020, 210 000 in 2019)
9    Portugal – 193 000 hectares (194 000 ha in 2021, 195 000 in 2020, 195 000 in 2019)
10  Romania – 188 000 hectares (189 000 ha in 2021, 190 000 in 2020, 191 000 in 2019)
11  India – 170 000 hectares (167 000 ha in 2021, 161 000 in 2020, 151 000 in 2019)
12  Iran – 158 000 hectares (158 000 ha in 2021, 170 000 in 2020, 167 000 in 2019)
13  Australia – 146 000 hectares (146 000 ha in 2021, 146 000 in 2020, 146 000 in 2019)
14  South Africa – 124 000 hectares (126 000 in 2021, 128 000 in 2020, 129 000  in 2019)
15 
Moldova – 122 000 hectares (138 000 ha in 2021, 140 000 in 2020, 143 000 in 2019)
16  Uzbekistan – 118 000 hectares (118 000 ha in 2021, 114 000 in 2020, 112 000 in 2019)
17  Afghanistan – 104 000 hectares (104 000 ha in 2021, 100 000 in 2020, 96 000 in 2019)
18  Germany – 103 000 hectares (103 000 ha in 2021, 103 000 in 2020, 103 000 in 2019)
19  Russia – 96 000 hectares (98 000 ha in 2021, 97 000 in 2020, 96 000 in 2019)
19  Greece – 96 000 hectares (96 000 ha in 2021, 112 000 in 2020, 109 000 in 2019)

 

Countries that export the most wine:

1     Italy – 21.9 mhl valued at €7.8 bn
22.2 mhl / €7.1 bn in 2021, 20.8 mhl / €6.2 bn in 2020, 21.4mhl / €6.4bn in 2019
2     Spain – 21.2 mhl valued at €2.9 bn
23.0 mhl / €2.9 bn in 2021, 20.2 mhl / €2.6 bn in 2020, 21.4mhl / €2.7bn in 2019
3     France – 14.0 mhl valued at €12.3 bn
14.6 mhl / €11.1 bn in 2021, 13.6 mhl / €8.7 bn in 2020, 14.3mhl / €9.8bn in 2019
4     Chile – 8.3 mhl valued at €1.8 bn
8.7 mhl / €1.7 bn in 2021, 8.5 mhl / €1.6 bn in 2020, 8.7mhl / €1.7bn in 2019
5     Australia – 6.4 mhl valued at €1.4 bn
6.3 mhl / €1.4 bn in 2021, 7.5 mhl / €1.8 bn in 2020, 7.4mhl / at €1.8bn in 2019
6     South Africa – 4.4 mhl valued at €0.7 bn
4.8 mhl / €0.6 bn in 2021, €3.6 mhl / €0.5 bn in 2020, 4.1 mhl / €0.6bn in 2019
7     Germany – 3.5 mhl valued at €1 bn
3.7 mhl / €1 bn in 2021, 3.4 mhl / €0.9 bn in 2020, 3.8mhl / €1.0bn in 2019
8     Portugal – 3.3 mhl valued at €0.9 bn
3.3 mhl / €0.9 bn in 2021, 3.1 mhl /t €0.8 bn in 2020, 3.0mhl / €0.8bn in 2019
9     USA – 2.8 mhl valued at €1.4 bn
3.3 mhl / €1.2 bn in 2021, 3.6 mhl / €1.1 bn in 2020, 3.6mhl / €1.2bn in 2019
10   New Zealand – 3.0 mhl valued at €1.3 bn
2.8 mhl / €1.2 bn in 2021, 2.9 mhl / €1.1 bn in 2020, 2.7mhl / €1.1bn in 2019
11   
Argentina – 2.7 valued at €0.7 bn
3.3 mhl / €0.7 bn in 2021, 4.0 mhl / €0.6 bn in 2020, 3.1mhl / €0.7bn in 2019

 

Countries that import the most wine:

1     USA – 14.49 mhl valued at €6.9 bn
13.9 mhl / €5.9 bn in 2021, 12.3 mhl / €5.2 bn in 2020, 12.3mhl / €5.8bn in 2019
2     
Germany – 13.4 mhl valued at €2.7 bn
14.8 mhl / €2.8 bn in 2021, 14.1 mhl / €2.6 bn in 2020, 14.8mhl / €2.6bn in 2019
3     United Kingdom – 13.0 mhl valued at €4.8 bn
13.2 mhl / €3.9 bn in 2021, 14.6 mhl / €3.8 bn in 2020, 14mhl / €3.9bn in 2019
4     France – 6.1 mhl valued at €0.9 bn
5.9 mhl / €0.8 bn in 2021, 6.3 mhl valued at €0.8 bn in 2020, 7.2mhl / €0.9bn in 2019
5     Netherlands – 4.6 mhl valued at €1.5 bn
4.9 mhl / €1.4 bn in 2021, 4.7 mhl / €1.3 bn in 2020, 4.2mhl / €1.2bn in 2019
6     Canada – 4.2 mhl valued at €2.2 bn
4.2 mhl / €1.9 bn in 2021, 4.5 mhl / €1.7 bn in 2020, 4.2mhl / €1.7bn in 2019
7     Russia – 3.9 mhl
3.7 mhl / €1.1 bn in 2021, 3.5 mhl / €0.9 bn in 2020, 4.5mhl / €1.0bn in 2019
8     China – 3.4 mhl valued at €1.4 bn
4.2 mhl / €1.4 bn in 2021, 4.3 mhl / €1.6 bn in 2020, 6.1mhl / €2.2bn in 2019
9     Belgium – 3.3 mhl value at €1.3 bn
3.9 mhl / €1.3 bn in 2021, 3.0 mhl / €1.0 bn in 2020, 3.1mhl / €1.0bn in 2019
10   Portugal – 2.8 mhl value at €0.2 bn
3.0 mhl / €0.2 bn in 2021
11   Japan – 2.7 mhl value at €1.8 bn
2.4 mhl / €1.4 bn in 2021
12   Italy – 2.2 mhl valued at €0.5 bn
3 mhl / €0.4 bn in 2021, 1.6 mhl / €0.3 bn in 2020
13   Sweden – 2.1 mhl value at €0.8 bn
2.1 mhl / €0.7 bn in 2021

 

Countries that consume the most wine:

1     USA – up 2.8% to 33.1 million hectolitres
2     France – up 1.5% to 25.3 mhl
3     Italy – down 5% to 23 mhl
4     Germany – down 2.5% to 19.4 mhl
5     United Kingdom – down 2.2% to 12.8 mhl
6     Russia – up 3.3% to 10.8 mhl
7     Spain – down 0.1% to 10.3 mhl
8     China – down 16% to 8.8 mhl
9     Argentina – down 1.3% to 8.3 mhl
10   Portugal – up 14.3% to 6 mhl
11   Australia – down 3.2% to 5.5 mhl
12   South Africa – up 15.8% to 4.6 mhl
13   Canada – down 0.44% to 4.2 mhl
14   Romania – down 0.2% to 3.7 mhl
15   Netherlands – down 3.4% to 3.6 mhl
16   Brazil – down 12.9% to 3.6 mhl
17   Japan – up 1.7% to 3.4 mhl
18   Switzerland – up 2.6% to 2.6 mhl
19   Austria – down 0.4% to 2.4 mhl
20   Czech Republic – up 0.3% to 2.2 mhl
21   Belgium – down 14.5% to 2.0 mhl
22   Sweden – down 5.9% to 2.0 mhl

 

 


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VARIOUS HIGHLIGHTS of statistics published by South Africa’s Wine Industry Information & Systems (SAWIS) in June 2023 (for the year 2022) are given below. For the full report, click here.

 

SA Wine Production, Sales

Annual grape harvest:  1.3-million tonnes
vs 1.4m in 2021, vs 1.3m in 2020, vs 1.2m in 2019
Annual wine production:  865m litres
vs 911m in 2021, vs 898m in 2020, vs 973.6m in 2019
Annual sales, domestic:  456-million litres
36% of still wine sales in glass, 10% in plastic, 49% bag-in-box, 5% in tetra pack
vs 392m in 2021, vs 315m in 2020, vs 407.9m in 2019
Annual sales, export:  349-million litres
38% packaged and 62% sold in bulk
vs 388m in 2021, vs 317.9m in 2020, vs 319.8m in 2019

 

SA Wine Industry Structure

Farms:  2487
vs 2613 in 2021, vs 2693 in 2020, vs 2778 in 2019
Wineries:  524 (total)
213 crushing fewer than 100 tonnes of grapes
160 crushing between 100 and 500 tonnes
41 crushing between 500 and 1000 tonnes
54 crushing between 1000 and 5000 tonnes
21 crushing between 5000 and 10 000 tonnes
35 crushing over 10 000 tonnes
vs a total of 536 wineries in 2021, vs 529 in 2020, vs 533 in 2019
Wholesalers / Bulk wine buyers:  116
incl 23 producing wholesalers (with wineries)
vs 114 in 2021, vs 111 in 2020, vs 107 in 2019
Co-operative wineries:  43
vs 43 in 2021, vs 45 in 2020, vs 45 in 2019
Independent wineries:  458
vs 471 in 2021, vs 457 in 2020, vs 460 in 2019

 

SA Vineyards and Cellars

Total area under vine: 89 384 hectares
vs 90 512ha in 2021, vs 92 005ha in 2020, vs 92 067ha in 2019
Figures not all quite the same as areas to which Wine of Origin certification applies

Stellenbosch
Including Somerset West, Sir Lowry’s Pass
12 198 hectares, 310 farms, 138 independent cellars, 2 co-operative cellars
Paarl
Plus Franschhoek, Tulbagh, Wellington
14 332 hectares, 388 farms, 106 independent cellars, 6 co-operative cellars
Breedekloof
Including Breërivier, Goudini, Rawsonville, Slanghoek
12 722 hectares, 185 farms, 17 independent cellars, 10 co-operative cellars
Robertson
Including Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor
12 889 hectares, 254 farms, 36 independent cellars, 7 co-operative cellars
Swartland
Plus Darling
12 128 hectares, 186 farms, 27 independent cellars, 1 co-operative cellar
Olifants River
Plus Lutzville
8589 hectares, 296 farms, 12 independent cellars, 3 co-operative cellars
Worcester
Including Hex River Valley, Nuy Valley, Scherpenheuwel, Stettyn
6379 hectares, 193 farms, 11 independent cellars, 8 co-operative cellars
Northern Cape
2840 hectares, 327 farms, 10 independent cellars, 2 co-operative cellars
Cape South Coast
Including Cape Agulhas, Elgin, Overberg, Plettenberg Bay, Walker Bay
2611 hectares, 148 farms, 62 independent cellars, 0 co-operative cellars
Cape Town
Including Constantia/Tokai, Durbanville, Hout Bay, Philadelphia
2598 hectares, 66 farms, 24 independent cellars, 0 co-operative cellars
Klein Karoo
Including Calitzdorp, Montagu, Tradouw
2097 hectares, 134 farms, 15 independent cellars, 4 co-operative cellars

 

SA Vineyards – White

Percentage of national vineyard: 55%

Chenin Blanc:  18%
Colombar(d):  11%
Sauvignon Blanc:  11%
Chardonnay:  7%
Muscat d’Alexandrie:  1%
Semillon:  1%
Muscat de Frontignan:  1%
Viognier:  1%

SA Vineyards – Red

Percentage of national vineyard: 45%

Cabernet Sauvignon:  11%
Shiraz / Syrah:  10%
Pinotage:  7%
Merlot:  6%
Ruby Cabernet:  2%
Cinsau(l)t:  2%
Pinot Noir:  1%
Cabernet Franc:  1%

 


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SA Vineyards by District

Total area under vine: 89 384ha
Figures below not all quite the same as areas to which Wine of Origin certification applies

BREEDE RIVER VALLEY

Total area under vine: 31 990ha

Breedekloof
Including Breërivier, Goudini, Rawsonville, Slanghoek
Total area under vine: 12 772ha

Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (2803ha), Colombar (1782ha), Sauvignon Blanc (1465ha), Chardonnay (819ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (558ha), Semillon (355ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Pinotage (912ha), Shiraz (753ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (647ha), Merlot (652ha), Ruby Cabernet (525ha), Cinsaut (525ha)

Robertson
Including Ashton, Bonnievale, McGregor
Total area under vine: 12 889ha

Most-planted white varieties: Colombar (1874ha), Chardonnay (1710ha), Sauvignon Blanc (1655ha), Chenin Blanc (1488ha), Muscat de Frontignan (430ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (1333ha), Shiraz (933ha), Pinotage (771ha), Merlot (588ha), Ruby Cabernet (544ha), Pinot Noir (228ha)

Worcester
Including Hex River Valley, Nuy Valley, Scherpenheuwel, Stettyn
Total area under vine: 6379ha

Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (1762ha), Colombar  (1069ha), Sauvignon Blanc (701ha), Chardonnay (444ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Pinotage (416ha), Shiraz (392ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (242ha), Merlot (204ha)

CAPE SOUTH COAST

Including Cape Agulhas, Elgin, Overberg, Plettenberg Bay, Walker Bay
Total area under vine: 2611ha

Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (765ha), Chardonnay (360ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Pinot Noir (340ha), Shiraz (321ha)

CAPE TOWN

Including Constantia/Tokai, Durbanville, Hout Bay, Philadelphia
Total area under vine: 2598ha

Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (950ha), Chardonnay (167ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (414ha), Merlot (269ha), Shiraz (263ha)

PAARL

Plus Franschhoek, Tulbagh, Wellington
Total area under vine: 14 332ha under vine

Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (2687ha), Chardonnay (1159ha), Sauvignon Blanc (873ha), Colombar (312ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (2150ha), Shiraz (2144ha), Pinotage (1310ha), Merlot (986ha), Cinsaut (567ha)

STELLENBOSCH

Total area under vine: 12 198ha

Most-planted white varieties: Sauvignon Blanc (1613ha), Chenin Blanc (1270ha), Chardonnay (977ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon (2443ha), Shiraz (1521ha), Merlot (1473ha), Pinotage (1034ha), Cabernet Franc (365ha), Pinot Noir (244ha)

SWARTLAND

Plus Darling
Total area under vine: 12 128ha under vine

Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (2461ha), Sauvignon Blanc (1144ha), Chardonnay (662ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Shiraz (1954ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (1639ha), Pinotage (1343ha), Merlot (691ha), Cinsaut (288ha)

KLEIN KAROO

Including Calitzdorp, Montagu, Tradouw
Total area under vine: 2097ha

Most-planted white varieties: Colombar (705ha), Chenin Blanc (453ha)
Most-planted red variety: Shiraz (83ha)

OLIFANTS RIVER

Including Citrusdal, Lutzville, Spruitdrift, Vredendal
Total area under vine: 8589ha

Most-planted white varieties: Chenin Blanc (2538ha), Colombar (2310ha), Sauvignon Blanc (683ha), Muscat d’Alexandrie (286ha)
Most-planted red varieties: Pinotage (545ha), Shiraz (490ha), Cabernet Sauvignon (336ha), Ruby Cabernet (311ha), Merlot (209ha)

NORTHERN CAPE

Total area under vine: 2840ha

Most-planted white varieties: Colombar (1286ha), Chenin Blanc (836ha)
Most-planted red variety: Cabernet Sauvignon (92ha)

 


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SA Wine Export Markets

United Kingdom: 96.8-million litres
including 65.7m in bulk
vs 92.5m (59m in bulk) in 2021, vs 82m (52m in bulk) in 2020, vs 77m (47m in bulk) in 2019
Germany: 59-million litres
including 49.7m in bulk
vs 65.2m (54.7m in bulk) in 2021, vs 65m (incl 54m in bulk) in 2020, vs 66m (52m in bulk) in 2019
Canada: 26.8-million litres
including 20.2m in bulk
vs 28.3m (incl 21.6m in bulk) in 2021, vs 12m (incl 5m in bulk) in 2020, vs 10m (3m in bulk) in 2019
USA: 25.5-million litres
including 16.8m in bulk
vs 42.3m (incl 33.1m in bulk) in 2021, vs 18m (incl 9m in bulk) in 2020, vs 10m (1m in bulk) in 2019
France: 22.5-million litres
including 21.9m in bulk
vs 16.8m (incl 16.4m in bulk) in 2021, vs 13m (incl 12 in bulk) in 2020, vs 15m (almost all in bulk) in 2019
Netherlands: 15.7-million litres
including 0.7m in bulk
vs 17.6m (incl 2.7m in bulk) in 2021, vs 20m (incl 3m in bulk) in 2020, vs 21m (4m in bulk) in 2019
Denmark: 15.5-million litres
including 13.4m in bulk
vs 14m (incl 11.1m in bulk) in 2021, vs 16m (incl 13m in bulk) in 2020, vs 16m (12m in bulk) in 2019
Sweden: 14-million litres
including 5m in bulk
vs 16.8m (incl 6.2m in bulk) in 2021, vs 17m (incl 6m in bulk) in 2020, vs 18m (7m in bulk) in 2019
Belgium: 13.7-million litres
including 9.8m in bulk
vs 11.7m (incl 7.2m in bulk) in 2021, vs 10m (incl 7m in bulk) in 2020, vs 11m (7m in bulk) in 2019
China: 8.5-million litres
including 2.4m in bulk
vs 13.8m (incl 5.9m in bulk) in 2021, vs 5m (incl 0.4m in bulk) in 2020, vs 6m (almost none in bulk) in 2019
TOTAL: 368.6-million litres
including 227.6m in bulk
vs 288m (incl 242.5m in bulk) in 2021, vs 318m (incl 181m in bulk) in 2020, vs 320m (175m in bulk) in 2019

 

Wine Imports to SA

Natural/Still Wine, Packaged (≤2L): 0.9-million litres
vs 0.8m in 2021, vs 0.6m in 2020, vs 1.7m in 2019
Sparkling Wine, Packaged: 2-million litres
vs 1.5m in 2021, vs 0.9m in 2020, vs 1.5m in 2019
Fortified Wine, Packaged (≤2L): 17 997 litres
vs 17 747 in 2021, vs 35 132 in 2020, vs 25 501 in 2019
Still & Fortified Wine, Bulk: 73 097 litres
vs 1188 litres in 2021, vs 2.9m in 2020, vs 32m in 2019

 

Drinks Consumption in SA

Beer: 3.2-billion litres
vs 2.8bn in 2021, vs 2.4bn in 2020, vs 3bn in 2019
RTDs, Fruit Beverages, Spirit Coolers: 696.7-million litres
vs 607.9m in 2021, vs 421m in 2020, vs 565m in 2019
Wine: 453.4-million litres (414.4m still, 26.5m fortified, 12.5m sparkling)
vs 393m in 2021, vs 314m in 2020, vs 388m in 2019
Spirits: 152.9-million litres
vs 146.4m in 2021, vs 116m in 2020, vs 132m in 2019
Total: 4.5-billion litres
vs 3.98bn in 2021, vs 3.3bn in 2020, vs 4.3bn in 2019

 

 


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One comment

  • Emile Joubert

    Regarding the SA wine industry stats, I must congratulate you on the comprehensive, up-to-date figures on your site. Better laid-out than what the industry is doing.

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