South Africa’s wine exports reached 264-million litres this year (the sector’s export versus domestic sales is 40:60) generating R9.8-billion in export value, a 2.4% year-on-year decline and a 13.8% contraction in volumes.
Year-on-year, packaged wine volumes declined by 4.6%, but export value held steady.
Bulk wine exports faced lower demand, owing to a combination of global oversupply, softer demand and tariff disruptions. Traditional bulk markets such as the UK, Germany and Belgium declined, although volumes shipped to destinations including Spain and selected African markets, such as Nigeria and Zimbabwe, increased.
Bulk wine pricing improved, with dollar per litre values rising for both white and red cultivar wines, reflecting underlying quality and competitiveness.
The UK, South Africa’s leading export market, remained a key anchor. Volumes declined by 7%, but export value increased by 4%.
Other priority markets delivering value growth included Canada (+3%) and Sweden (+1%).
“South Africa’s export performance must be viewed in the context of a challenging global environment marked by declining wine consumption, economic pressure and rising trade barriers,” posits industry body Wines of South Africa (WoSA) CEO Siobhan Thompson.
“Against this backdrop, our long-term strategy of prioritising value over volume and focusing on key markets is proving resilient. While volumes in some developed markets softened, we saw encouraging value growth in core markets for packaged wine such as the UK, Canada and Sweden, alongside strong momentum across Africa and parts of Asia.”
The US government’s implementation of tariffs in August 2025 means that South African wine is now subject to a 30% tariff, the full effect of which will only become evident later this year as updated trade data is released, WoSA points out.
This delayed effect reflects a range of short- to medium-term mitigation measures taken by exporters, who worked closely with their US trade partners to retain listings and maintain market presence, it adds.
Despite these efforts, 2025 export data show a significant decline, with packaged wine exports to the US decreased by 21% in volume and 23% in dollar value.
Africa now accounts for more than 10% of total export value.
Packaged wine exports to the continent recorded steady value growth of 14%, driven by strong performances in Kenya (+13%), Zambia (+23%) and Uganda (+24%).
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