Optimism Grows for South Africa’s 2026 Wine Grape Harvest, Says Economist
Optimism Grows for South Africa’s 2026 Wine Grape Harvest, Says Economist
The country's wine industry is anticipating another stable and potentially larger crop in the 2026 harvest season following a successful 2025 season, according to Wandile Sihlobo, chief economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa.
Sihlobo attributed this optimistic forecast to continued favorable weather and the absence of major setbacks such as frost or flooding.
The national vineyard area remains steady at about 86,500 hectares, reflecting ongoing replanting efforts that replace unproductive vines with more efficient, purpose-driven plantings, he noted citing data from the industry body South Africa Wine.
The positive outlook is supported by favorable weather patterns, which are providing beneficial rainfall across key growing regions, he added.
Notably, global wine output was subdued by climate shocks in 2025, with France and Spain recording their lowest grape harvests in decades, according to a recent report by the International Organization of Vine and Wine.
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