South African Table Grape Industry Calls for Urgent Disaster Relief After Severe Storms
The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) has appealed to both the Western Cape provincial government and the national authorities for immediate disaster‑relief funding and recovery assistance. The request follows a series of intense storms, floods and strong winds that swept through parts of the Western Cape between May 10 and 13 2025, leaving extensive damage to vineyards, infrastructure and rural communities.
Extent of Damage in Key Production Regions
According to SATI, the hardest‑hit areas include the Berg River, Hex River and Olifants River valleys, where growers reported:
- Flooded vineyards and submerged young plantings.
- Fallen trellis nets, poles and damaged irrigation systems.
- Washed‑out access roads and bridges, rendering several farms inaccessible.
- Loss of up to one‑third of table‑grape plantings on some properties.
Mecia Petersen, CEO of SATI, emphasized the logistical bottleneck: “Access roads have been damaged or washed away in several areas, leaving some farms inaccessible.”
She added that the average cost to establish one hectare of table grapes can reach R1.2 million, magnifying the financial strain on producers who must now repair or replant.
Impact on the 2025/26 Harvest and Export Outlook
Although the 2025/26 table‑grape harvest season concluded before the storms, the damage to post‑harvest infrastructure threatens the size, quality and productivity of the upcoming 2026/27 crop. SATI warns that delayed harvesting and transportation could:
- Reduce yields and compromise export‑grade fruit.
- Increase financial losses across the supply chain.
- Disrupt the province’s fruit and wine export pipelines.
Industry data underscores the sector’s significance. In the 2024/25 season South Africa exported 78.2 million 4.5 kg cartons of table grapes, with the European Union and United Kingdom accounting for 58 % and 18 % of shipments respectively. Exports to Canada and the United States grew 7 % and 20 % year‑on‑year, while sales to the Middle East rose 26 %. Conversely, shipments to China and Hong Kong fell by roughly 50 %, reflecting shifting market dynamics.
Broader Agricultural Consequences
The storms also affected citrus‑growing zones in the Western Cape and parts of the Eastern Cape. The Citrus Growers’ Association noted that the damage could jeopardize the 2026 citrus outlook, following a record‑breaking 2025 season in which South African citrus exports surpassed those of global leader Spain.
Boitshoko Ntshabele, CEO of the Citrus Growers’ Association, pointed out that farmers are already contending with weaker demand in key Middle‑East markets, rising input costs and logistical pressures—factors that compound the storm‑related setbacks.
Government Response and Next Steps
On Tuesday, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture confirmed that the province’s agricultural sector was particularly hard hit, citing extensive damage in the Hex River Valley, Grabouw/Elgin, Ceres and Worcester regions. The department reported that irrigation systems, access roads, bridges and power supplies were compromised, with some farms completely paralyzed by flooded rivers and destroyed transport routes.
The Western Cape government is scheduled to meet on Wednesday to evaluate whether to declare the event a provincial disaster. If approved, the province will forward the request to the National Disaster Management Centre to obtain a formal national disaster declaration, unlocking additional funding and resources for recovery efforts.
SATI urges stakeholders—including policymakers, financial institutions and international buyers—to support rapid relief measures such as:
- Emergency grants for road and bridge rehabilitation.
- Low‑interest loans to rebuild trellis, irrigation and packhouse facilities.
- Technical assistance for flood‑resilient farming practices.
- Market‑access programs to mitigate export disruptions.
By addressing both immediate infrastructural needs and longer‑term resilience, the industry aims to safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of farm workers and maintain South Africa’s reputation as a reliable supplier of high‑quality table grapes on the global stage.
