SA Wine Industry Stats
FOR STATISTICS supplied by the South African wine industry body SAWIS, click here. For 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 2024 by the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) based in Dijon, France, the area under vine throughout the world was estimated at 7.2-million hectares – the third consecutive year of shrinking vineyard plantings globally. Total wine production was estimated at 237-million hectolitres, the lowest since 1961 at 214 mhl – down from 258 mhl in 2022, 260 mhl in 2021 and 263 mhl in 2020, with 250 mhl in 2017 having previously been the lowest of the 21st century.
The OIV’s 2023 data has South Africa ranked seventh among the biggest wine-producing countries on the planet, ahead of Argentina, Germany and Portugal, behind the USA, Chile and Australia. The Top 3 – France, Italy and Spain – account for around 48% of the world’s production, with the Top 10 accounting for over 80% of all wine produced – volumes given in millions of hectolitres (mhl):
1 France – 48 mhl
46 mhl in 2022, 37.6 mhl in 2021, 46.7 in 2020
2 Italy – 38.3 mhl
49.8 mhl in 2022, 50.2 mhl in 2021, 49.1 in 2020
3 Spain – 28.3 mhl
35.8 mhl in 2022, 35.3 mhl in 2021, 40.9 in 2020
4 USA – 24.3 mhl
22.4 mhl in 2022, 24.1 mhl in 2021, 22.8 in 2020
5 Chile – 11 mhl
12.4 mhl in 2022, 13.4 mhl in 2021, 10.3 in 2020
6 Australia – 9.6 mhl
13.1 mhl in 2022, 14.8 mhl in 2021, 10.9 in 2020
7 South Africa – 9.3 mhl
10.3 mhl in 2022, 10.8 mhl in 2021, 10.4 in 2020
8 Argentina – 8.8 mhl
11.5 mhl in 2022, 12.5 mhl in 2021, 10.8 in 2020
9 Germany – 8.6 mhl
8.9 mhl in 2022, 8.4 mhl in 2021, 8.4 in 2020
10 Portugal – 7.5 mhl
6.8 mhl in 2022, 7.4 mhl in 2021, 6.4 in 2020
11 Romania – 4.6 mhl
3.8 mhl in 2022, 4.5 mhl in 2021, 3.8 in 2020
12 Russia – 4.5 mhl
5 mhl in 2022, 4.3 mhl in 2021, 4.4 in 2020
13 New Zealand – 3.6 mhl
3.8 mhl in 2022, 2.7 mhl in 2021, 3.3 in 2020
14 Brazil – 3.6 mhl
3.2 mhl in 2022, 3.6 mhl in 2021, 1.9 in 2020
15 China – 3.2 mhl
4.7 mhl in 2022, 5.9 mhl in 2021, 6.6 in 2020
16 Hungary – 2.4 mhl
2.5 mhl in 2022, 2.6 mhl in 2021, 2.6 in 2020
17 Austria – 2.4 mhl
2.5 mhl in 2022, 2.5 mhl in 2021, 2.4 in 2020
18 Georgia – 1.9 mhl
1.9 mhl in 2022, 1.9 mhl in 2021, 2.1 in 2020
19 Moldova – 1.8 mhl
1.4 mhl in 2022, 1.4 mhl in 2021, 0.9 in 2020
20 Greece – 1.4 mhl
2.1 mhl in 2022, 2.4 mhl in 2021, 2.2 in 2020
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 – 945 000 hectares (955 000 ha in 2022, 963 000 ha in 2021, 961 000 in 2020)
2 France – 792 000 hectares (795 000 ha in 2022, 795 000 ha in 2021, 799 000 in 2020)
3 China – 756 000 hectares (758 000 in 2022, 754 000 ha in 2021, 766 000 in 2020)
4 Italy – 720 000 hectares (718 000 ha in 2022, 722 000 ha in 2021, 719 000 in 2020)
5 Türkiye – 410 000 hectares (413 000 ha in 2022, 419 000 ha in 2021, 431 000 in 2020)
6 USA – 392 000 hectares (392 000 ha in 2022, 393 000 ha in 2021, 402 000 in 2020)
7 Argentina – 205 000 hectares (207 000 ha in 2022, 211 000 ha in 2021, 215 000 in 2020)
8 Romania – 187 000 hectares (188 000 ha in 2022, 189 000 ha in 2021, 190 000 in 2020)
9 Portugal – 182 000 hectares (193 000 ha in 2022, 194 000 ha in 2021, 195 000 in 2020)
10 India – 180 000 hectares (175 000 ha in 2022, 167 000 ha in 2021, 161 000 in 2020)
11 Chile – 172 000 hectares (182 000 ha in 2022, 182 000 ha in 2021, 207 000 in 2020)
12 Iran – 165 000 hectares (165 000 ha in 2022, 165 000 ha in 2021, 170 000 in 2020)
13 Australia – 159 000 hectares (159 000 iha in 2022, 159 000 ha in 2021, 159 000 in 2020)
14 South Africa – 122 000 hectares (124 000 ha in 2022, 126 000 in 2021, 128 000 in 2020)
14 Uzbekistan – 122 000 hectares (122 000 ha in 2022, 118 000 ha in 2021, 114 000 in 2020)
16 Moldova – 117 000 hectares (117 000 ha in 2022, 118 000 ha in 2021, 140 000 in 2020)
17 Russia – 105 000 hectares (101 000 ha in 2022, 99 000 ha in 2021, 97 000 in 2020)
18 Germany – 104 000 hectares (103 000 ha in 2022, 103 000 ha in 2021, 103 000 in 2020)
19 Afghanistan – 104 000 hectares (100 000 ha in 2022, 100 000 ha in 2021, 100 000 in 2020)
20 Greece – 94 000 hectares (93 000 ha in 2022, 96 000 ha in 2021, 112 000 in 2020)
Countries that export the most wine:
1 Italy – 21.4 mhl valued at €7.7 bn
21.6 mhl valued at €7.8 bn in 2022, 22.2 mhl / €7.1 bn in 2021, 20.8 mhl / €6.2 bn in 2020
2 Spain – 20.8 mhl valued at €2.9 bn
21.4 mhl valued at €3.0 bn in 2022, 23.0 mhl / €2.9 bn in 2021, 20.2 mhl / €2.6 bn in 2020
3 France – 12.7 mhl valued at €11.9 bn
13.4 mhl valued at €12.3 bn in 2022, 14.6 mhl / €11.1 bn in 2021, 13.6 mhl / €8.7 bn in 2020
4 Chile – 6.8 mhl valued at €1.4 bn
8.3 mhl valued at €1.8 bn in 2022, 8.7 mhl / €1.7 bn in 2021, 8.5 mhl / €1.6 bn in 2020
5 Australia – 6.2 mhl valued at €1.2 bn
6.4 mhl valued at €1.4 bn in 2022, 6.3 mhl / €1.4 bn in 2021, 7.5 mhl / €1.8 bn in 2020
6 South Africa – 3.5 mhl valued at €0.6 bn
4.4 mhl valued at €0.7 bn in 2022, 4.8 mhl / €0.6 bn in 2021, €3.6 mhl / €0.5 bn in 2020
7 Germany – 3.3 mhl valued at €1 bn
3.5 mhl valued at €1 bn in 2022, 3.7 mhl / €1 bn in 2021, 3.4 mhl / €0.9 bn in 2020
8 Portugal – 3.2 mhl valued at €0.9 bn
3.3 mhl valued at €0.9 bn in 2022, 3.3 mhl / €0.9 bn in 2021, 3.1 mhl /t €0.8 bn in 2020
9 Canada – 2.3 mhl valued at €0.08 bn
2.1 mhl valued at €0.08 bn in 2022
10 USA – 2.1 mhl valued at €1.1 bn
2.8 mhl valued at €1.4 b in 2022, 3.3 mhl / €1.2 bn in 2021, 3.6 mhl / €1.1 bn in 2020
11 Argentina – 2.0 mhl valued at €0.6 bn
2.7 valued at €0.7 bn in 2022, 3.3 mhl / €0.7 bn in 2021, 4.0 mhl / €0.6 bn in 2020
11 New Zealand – 2.0 mhl valued at €1.2 bn
2.7 mhl valued at €1.3 bn in 2022, 2.8 mhl / €1.2 bn in 2021, 2.9 mhl / €1.1 bn in 2020
Countries that import the most wine:
1 Germany – 13.6 mhl valued at €2.6 bn
13.6 mhl valued at €2.8 bn in 2022, 14.8 mhl / €2.8 bn in 2021, 14.1 mhl / €2.6 bn in 2020
2 USA – 12.3 mhl valued at €6.2 bn
14.4 mhl valued at €7 bn in 2022, 13.9 mhl / €5.9 bn in 2021, 12.3 mhl / €5.2 bn in 2020
2 UK – 12.3 mhl valued at €4.7 bn
13.0 mhl valued at €4.8 b in 2022, 13.2 mhl / €3.9 bn in 2021, 14.6 mhl / €3.8 bn in 2020
4 France – 6.0 mhl valued at €0.9 bn
6.2 mhl valued at €1 bn in 2022, 5.9 mhl / €0.8 bn in 2021, 6.3 mhl valued at €0.8 bn in 2020
5 Netherlands – 4.4 mhl valued at €1.5 bn
4.4 mhl valued at €1.5 bn in 2022, 4.9 mhl / €1.4 bn in 2021, 4.7 mhl / €1.3 bn in 2020
6 Russia – 4 mhl
3.9 mhl in 2022, 3.7 mhl / €1.1 bn in 2021, 3.5 mhl / €0.9 bn in 2020
7 Canada – 3.8 mhl valued at €1.8 bn
4.2 mhl valued at €2.2 bn in 2022, 4.2 mhl / €1.9 bn in 2021, 4.5 mhl / €1.7 bn in 2020
8 Belgium – 3.0 mhl value at €1.2 bn
3.4 mhl value at €1.3 bn in 2022, 3.9 mhl / €1.3 bn in 2021, 3.0 mhl / €1.0 bn in 2020
8 Portugal – 3.0 mhl value at €0.2 bn
2.9 mhl value at €0.2 bn in 2022, 3.0 mhl / €0.2 bn in 2021
10 China – 2.5 mhl valued at €1.1 bn
3.4 mhl valued at €1.4 bn in 2022, 4.2 mhl / €1.4 bn in 2021, 4.3 mhl / €1.6 bn in 2020
11 Japan – 2.3 mhl value at €1.6 bn
2.7 mhl value at €1.8 bn in 2022, 2.4 mhl / €1.4 bn in 2021
12 Italy – 2.0 mhl valued at €0.5 bn
2.0 mhl valued at €0.5 bn in 2022, 3 mhl / €0.4 bn in 2021, 1.6 mhl / €0.3 bn in 2020
12 Sweden – 2.0 mhl value at €0.8 bn
2.1 mhl value at €0.8 bn in 2022, 2.1 mhl / €0.7 bn in 2021
Countries that consume the most wine:
1 USA – down 3% to 33.3 million hectolitres
2 France – down 2.4% to 24.4 mhl
3 Italy – down 2.5% to 21.8 mhl
4 Germany – down 1.6% to 19.1 mhl
5 United Kingdom – down 2.9% to 12.8 mhl
6 Spain – up 1.7% to 9.83 mhl
7 Russia – up 3% to 8.6 mhl
8 Argentina – down 6.2% to 7.8 mhl
9 China – down 24.7% to 6.8 mhl
10 Portugal – down 9.2% to 5.5 mhl
11 Australia – down 0.1% to 5.4 mhl
12 Canada – down 5.6% to 4.8 mhl
13 South Africa – down 1.8% to 4.5 mhl
14 Brazil – up 11.6% to 4.0 mhl
15 Netherlands – down 9.2% to 3.3 mhl
16 Japan – up 2.1% to 3.2 mhl
17 Romania – up 20.1% to 3.0 mh
18 Switzerland – down 3% to 2.3 mhl
18 Austria – down 2.1% to 2.3 mhl
20 Czech Republic – down 3.7% to 2.2 mhl
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%
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)
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
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.