02 February 2021 - 07:56 By TimesLIVE President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Monday night that wine sales for home consumption can be reopened from Monday to Thursday. File photo. Image: Zack Daniel
Wine industry body Vinpro is relieved that wine businesses can start trading again now that the third ban on local liquor sales is lifted, but says action is needed to improve the industry s long-term sustainability.
“Wine businesses have not been able to earn any income from local wine sales for a total of 20 weeks since March 2020, which led to an overall loss of more than R8bn in direct sales revenue and still threatens the survival of cellars, wine grape producers and the livelihoods of 27,000 employees in the wine industry value-chain,” it said.