Northern Cape Business 2017-18 edition

OVERVIEW
An example of successful
Sultana-grape production in
the province is SAD Vine Fruit
(Pty) Ltd, which owns the largest
dried-vine fruit processing and
packaging plant in South Africa.
The Upington-based firm employs
more than 350 people when in full
production. As much as 80% of
vine fruit grown in South Africa is
exported, primarily to Europe.
Diversified agri-company KLK
recently purchased a half share in
Carpe Diem Raisins, an exporter of
high-quality raisins.
The South African Table Grape
Industry Partnership promotes
South Africa in international
markets.
Wine
According to SA wine industry
statistics, the Orange River region
has about 5% of the total hectares
under wine grapes in South Africa,
and just over 3% of the total number
of vines. New vineyards are
being planted.
Warm to hot conditions, coupled
with the nutrient-rich land on
the banks of the Orange River and
sharply contrasting temperatures
at times, combine to produce consistently
excellent wines. Average
annual rainfall in the area is 150mm,
but the eastern part of the region
from Kanoneiland to Groblershoop
received that amount— and more
—in one day in January.
The Northern Cape’s Orange
River wine region accounts for
25.6% of South Africa’s Colombard
vines and 10% of Chenin Blanc.
The focus is on Colombard and
Hanepoot grapes.
Orange River Cellars (ORC) is a large co-operative with six wineries.
Grapes are collected from 749 farmers. OWC has a winery at its
head office in Upington and at Keimoes, Groblershoop, Kakamas and
Grootdrink.
Orange River Concentrate Producers (part of the ORC group)
produces about 7.5-million litres of white grape juice concentrate, a
percentage of which is exported to Japan where the Itochu Corporation
uses it in soft drinks and food.
ORC supplies wine to Tops at Spar which now has 691 stores across
the country, (having opened 45 new ones in 2015) and makes Tops’
private label “Carnival”.
ORC has also been selling wine in China, the USA and Europe for a
number of years through its Norweco division. Unique labelling aims
to capture local markets, so ORC wines are called “Star Tree” in the US
and “Goddess” in Denmark.
The Douglas Wine Cellar produces about 6 000 cases per year.
Together with the Landzicht cellar (just over the border in the Free State),
the Douglas Wine Cellars is a GWK company. The Douglas cellar crushes
7 000 tons of grapes every year and produces 5.6-million litres of wine.
Hartswater Wine Cellar is a part of the region’s other big agricultural
company, Senwes. Two wine brands (Overvaal and Elements) are
produced in the Hartswater irrigation area north of Kimberley.
New growers
There are plans to add 40 000 tons of grapes for wine, juice and raisins to
the Northern Cape’s capacity. A draft six-year plan has been developed
for the Northern Cape Vineyard Development Scheme which will be
implemented by the Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land
Reform and Rural Development, the National Agricultural Marketing
Council, the Land Bank, Distell, Winetech and Orange River Wine Cellars.
Blocuso farm has developed 18ha of Villard Blanc including an
irrigation system and a trellis system. Grapes are sold to ORC. Bringing
Merbein raisins on stream led to a product supply agreement with
Pioneer Foods. The project has 16 permanent employees but is not
yet self-sufficient.
ONLINE RESOURCES
Northern Cape Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and
Rural Development: www.agrinc.gov.za
Orange River Cellars: www.orangeriverwines.com
SA Wine Industry Information & Systems: www.sawis.co.za
South African Table Grape Industry: www.satgi.co.za
South African Wine and Brandy Company: www.sawb.co.za
Wines of South Africa: www.wosa.co.za
49 NORTHERN CAPE BUSINESS 2017/18