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In 2019, South Africa's grape harvest in 2019 will be the lowest since 2005. 1,225,6230 tonnes of grapes were harvested by the winegrowers and wineries, 1.9 percent less than in 2018, which was hit by a dramatic drought, due to the diminishing number of vineyards, difficult weather conditions and the effects of last year's drought, said Francois Viljoen, Vinpro's advisor, which brings together some 2,500 South African producers and marketers.
Although there had been sufficient rainfall in many regions, the effects of the three years of drought were clearly felt, he added. The drought from 2016 to 2018 would still affect the soil and vines and could only recover slowly. While only very small grapes were harvested in the Robertson and Stellenbosch growing regions, the Klein Karoo and Olifants River continued to be extremely dry. Minimal growth was only seen in the Northern Cape, Swartland, Paarl and Worcester.
(uka / Photo: Dave Bezaire & Susi Havens-Bezaire - Wikipedia)