adminSouth African wine producers are “fearful and frustrated” due to the ban on alcohol sales during lockdown, as well as the initial stop-and-go approach government had to the export of wine.
This is according to Nicolò Pudel, co-founder of Port2Port.wine, a South African online wine retailer carrying over 2 000 wines from 400 producers and 11 countries.
Pudel says he has observed this state of mind among many local wine producers in recent weeks, with some indicating that they may be forced to close shop indefinitely due to the impact of the lockdown.
Wine producers’ industry body Vinpro said on Friday that the lack of income from domestic revenue streams — over R300 million per week — had undoubtedly already placed several businesses in dire straits, and would lead to thousands of job losses if the matter were not resolved urgently.
Vinpro is still in talks with government to clarify local liquor sales during Level 4 and beyond. — fin24.com.
Online Reporter