Beyond the bottle

2025 wine harvest signals strong recovery, but success is up to all players in the value chain.

After a notably poor harvest in 2024, South Africa’s wine industry is poised for recovery in 2025, offering renewed optimism across the sector. According to the most recent statistics from SA Wine and Vinpro, early forecasts predict a grape yield of 1.244 million tonnes this year — up 11% from the previous season. With wine remaining one of the country’s top agricultural exports by value, the outlook signals not just a seasonal rebound, but a broader opportunity for renewed growth in a sector that underpins rural economies and job creation.

According to Arno Abeln, Managing Director of Agrimark Operations — part of KAL Group, the uniquely South African agri, fuel and convenience speciality retailer listed on the JSE — the wine industry plays a far-reaching role in the country’s economic ecosystem.

“The wine industry is a critical driver in the South African economy,” says Abeln, who represented Agrimark at the South Africa Wine Summit held on 22 May 2025 in Stellenbosch. The event brought together key stakeholders from across the industry to explore solutions for building a stronger, export-ready industry. Agrimark is a continuous sponsor of the Summit, reflecting its commitment to the wine sector’s long-term sustainability.

Abeln notes that the sector’s success has ripple effects across employment, supply chains, and export revenues. According to the agricultural economist at Agbiz, Wandile Sihlobo, the rebound comes at a critical time, as the country’s export-oriented agricultural sector continues to push for growth in new global markets. In 2024, South African agricultural exports reached a record US$13.7 billion, a 3% increase year-on-year — with wine ranking among the top products by value.

But the industry’s contribution runs deeper than exports. A 2022 study commissioned by the SA Wine Industry Information and Systems (SAWIS) reveals the wine industry supports over 270,000 jobs across farming, labour, packaging, retail and tourism. It adds R56.5 billion to South Africa’s GDP, with more than half of that remaining in the Western Cape. As the world’s seventh-largest wine producer by volume (2023), accounting for nearly 4% of global output, South Africa’s wine sector is an essential pillar of the national economy.

Abeln says that Agrimark is invested in the South African wine industry’s success and provides support to more than 1000 wine farms and 100 cellars through a comprehensive offering that spans essential inputs, packaging, mechanisation and financial services. It also plays an active role in the broader wine ecosystem — far beyond being an input supplier — with a growing presence in the farm-to-fork value chain.

“We support 1136 wine producers with a broad, integrated offering designed to meet the needs of the industry. This includes packaging solutions such as a wide range of wine bottles, cartons, dividers, closures, and custom packaging that meets both local and international standards,” he explains.

To support vineyard management, Agrimark supplies agricultural inputs like high-quality fertilisers, pruning tools, trellising systems, and crop protection products tailored for viticulture. Irrigation solutions include cutting-edge technology and durable infrastructure materials to promote sustainable water management and long-term vineyard health.

“We also give farmers access to advanced farming machinery and vineyard-specific equipment to improve operational efficiency and support precision farming.”

Notably, in 2025, Agrimark supplied 10 New Holland Braud harvesters to wine producers, reinforcing its commitment to modernising local wine farming operations.

Furthermore, Agrimark Liquor, its retail offering, now stocks 162 wine brands and 690 wine SKUs, with plans under its growth strategy to expand its footprint by opening nine additional stores by 2030.

“Each Agrimark Liquor store showcases a curated wine section featuring branded and private label wines made by our very own customers,” says Abeln. “We also strive to stock local wines from nearby cellars in each store’s region.”

Tucana, inspired by the star constellation first documented by Dutch explorers sailing past South Africa in the 1500s, reflects the country’s rich astronomical and seafaring history. The red wine is produced in the Swartland region, while the white wine is sourced from the Breede River Valley, and made by a collective of local producers.

The Cape brand, meanwhile, pays tribute to the historical planting of the first grapevines in South Africa — a moment that laid the foundation for one of the world’s great wine regions.

“With all eyes on recovery and growth in the sector, all stakeholders have a responsibility to ensure its longevity,” concludes Abeln.