The wine industry is tough. One needs only to visit a local liquor store and be overwhelmed at the product offering to realise what a feat it must be to have your label capture the consumer's attention, and keep it long-term.
South Africa boasts around 1 100 individual wine brands, compared with whisky that only has about 15. This makes wine highly competitive, and wineries require a whole arsenal of tools to keep their product in wine glasses around the country. As a result, the industry is rapidly consolidating, with Vinpro stating that 100 primary producers have been exiting the industry each year since 2003.
The trend is not unique to South Africa as wine countries the world over turn to economies of scale to beat the cost-price squeeze. "Europe has always been the biggest consumer of wine, but that has changed," says Phillip Retief, CEO of Van Loveren Vineyards (VRL), in Robertson in the Western Cape. "Their population is ageing and the younger generation, which is more health conscious, drinks less and enjoys alternative products to their parents. Despite consolidation in the global industry, wine production is actually increasing, which means that in most years there is more supply than demand."
FAST FACTS
Van Loveren Vineyards has gone from strength to strength while many wine farmers are exiting the industry.
Vertical integration has been key to their success.
Good relationships form the basis of negotiations.
SPOTTING OPPORTUNITIES
VRL has been making wine since 1937, with the Retief family building the business into the successful company it is today. Today the third generation is at the helm, comprising brothers Hennie and Bussell, and Phillip and Neil. Together they are the famous four cousins, whose faces adorn the label of their most popular wine.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 29 March 2024-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 29 March 2024-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
New farmers' seedling pitfalls
Inexperienced farmers may be tempted to grow seedlings from seed themselves, but they have much to gain by trusting a seedling grower at a nursery to perform this task for them instead
South African avocado production: a success story
Avocado production in South Africa has expanded markedly since the industry's humble beginnings over 80 years ago. From a small grove planted in 1938 in what was then Nelspruit, the industry has blossomed to seven million trees planted on 20 000ha. Dr Guy Witney, project manager at Great Brak Avos, spoke to Annelie Coleman about the country's avocado production.
Unlocking value through livestock exports
Exporting livestock might sound like a daunting business that's better left for big companies, but Gerrie Ferreira, who farms near Oudtshoorn in the Western Cape, has been doing it successfully for almost 30 years, sometimes in partnership with other breeders. He spoke to Glenneis Kriel about the huge potential this market holds, and offers some advice for farmers who are contemplating going this route.
An agribusiness's dedication to community upliftment
For agribusiness NWK, located in Lichtenburg, North West, corporate social investment is an important part of creating a positive influence alongside financial returns. Johan Bezuidenhout, NWK’s group manager of corporate marketing and communication, spoke to Annelie Coleman about why the company chooses to invest millions of rands in the area it operates in every year.
Empowering dreams, transforming lives
Since its launch in 2013, the Agri's Got Talent competition has revolutionised the lives of many farmworkers by unlocking their hidden talents and fostering a culture of empowerment. Glenneis Kriel spoke to various finalists about how the contest has changed their lives.
Foreign investment: agriculture maintains its appeal
South Africa remains a popular destination for foreign investors, despite an often negative outlook from its citizens. It is a gateway to Africa, and with its counterseasonal production to the Northern Hemisphere and favourable weather, local agriculture is especially well placed to attract foreign interest, bringing with it hope for rural communities
The real value and message of COP29 for SA agriculture
While the 2024 Conference of the Parties may have disappointed those who hoped for real progress, it's more important for South African agriculture to highlight its role in carbon mitigation
Improving efficiencies in feed and grain milling
Bühler, a Swiss-based company that provides solutions and equipment for various industries, including food and animal feed processing, has pledged that by 2025, it will deliver scalable solutions that will reduce energy, waste and water by 50% in the value chains of its customers.
Tips for better olive production
At an SA Olive Association field day in November, industry experts shared ways to improve olive production efficiencies, from soil preparation to harvesting.
More effort needed to protect vulnerable cheetah
On International Cheetah Day, commemorated every year on 4 December, emphasis was placed on the vulnerability of the species.
