South Africa’s wine and topfruit industries grapple with climate change

SOUTH AFRICA – The agriculture sector in South Africa is under mounting pressure from climate change, particularly its renowned wine and topfruit industries.

While the country produced 934 million liters of wine in 2023, generating approximately R10 billion (USD 568.3 million) in exports, shifting climate patterns are threatening the industry’s stability and the livelihoods tied to it.

Global warming is altering the timing of grape harvests. Research from France has shown that grapes now ripen two to three weeks earlier than they did 40 years ago.

This shift forces earlier harvests, disrupting seasonal labor availability, especially for migrant workers who play a crucial role in the industry.

“Earlier harvests put immense pressure on labor resources and our ability to maintain quality,” says a wine producer in the Western Cape.

Contrary to assumptions that warmer weather would benefit grape cultivation, rising temperatures increase sugar levels in grapes, which in turn raises alcohol content during fermentation.

For each 1°C increase, grapes gain about 12 grams of sugar per liter, potentially increasing alcohol levels by 0.66%. While this may seem minor, it significantly alters the wine’s flavor profile, often resulting in wines that overpower subtler flavors.

Winemakers are trying to counter this trend by adopting techniques like “watering back,” or adding water during fermentation.

However, this can dilute other flavors. Others are experimenting with yeast strains that produce lower alcohol levels, but these methods present their own challenges, such as leaving residual sugar in the wine.

Erratic rainfall patterns further complicate wine production. Droughts and floods are becoming more frequent, threatening crop yields.

Grapes are especially sensitive to changes in weather, and their marketability depends on slight variations in flavor.

“We rely on consistent weather patterns to plan our harvests and make informed decisions. Climate change is making that predictability impossible,” notes a local viticulturist.

The spread of new pests, such as the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, which causes Pierce’s disease in grapevines, is also a growing concern.

Rising temperatures allow such pests to thrive, forcing many farmers to use more pesticides, a move that sparked protests in Paarl last year due to health concerns for farmworkers.

Topfruit industry fares better amid cold snap

While the wine industry battles the heat, South Africa’s topfruit sector has been grappling with unusually cold weather. Recent snow and cold snaps across the Western Cape have had limited impact on topfruit orchards, particularly in regions like Ceres.

“Pear orchards in Ceres are in magnificent bloom,” said a technical manager, “even if half the flowers were damaged by the cold, there are still enough for a full crop.”

In other areas like Grabouw, early blooms of Forelle and Panorama Golden pears experienced some damage due to icy rain, but most orchards remain unaffected.

While the cold arrived later than expected, it ticked all the necessary boxes, replenishing dams and providing much-needed water for the upcoming season.

Flood damage from earlier rains remains visible along river valleys, and there were reports of dam walls bursting. However, many orchard owners are thankful for the wet season after facing severe droughts in previous years.

“There’s still a lot to watch out for, especially fungal issues caused by waterlogged soil,” said the manager. “But overall, the season looks promising.”

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