‘Gesondheid’ to our local wine producers

Writer: Elaine Davie.

Never has the local wine industry been in greater need of a toast to its good health. And never before has the South African Treasury been in greater need of the foreign currency it could be earning for the country during this State of Disaster.

In a presentation to Parliament’s Finance and Appropriations Committee on 30 April, the SARS Commissioner, Edward Kieswetter announced that in the first 29 days of April, it had lost just under R300 million in revenue from the government’s inexplicable ban on the export of wine during its hard lockdown. When the export of beer, spirits and cigarettes are added to the mix, R1.7million has been sacrificed – in one month.

Harvest time at Garbriëlskloof.

Given the fact that no other country has clamped down on either the consumption or production of alcohol during the world-wide fight against COVID-19, this capricious decision by the South African government defies comprehension. Furthermore, Its tendency to flip-flop continuously between yes you can, no you can’t, has made it impossible for wine producers to guarantee foreign clients on- time delivery.

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