Economy and Trade, IBSA, SOUTH AFRICA, CHINA:
South African wines struggling to dominate Chinese market

12/6/2012 9:57:59 AM Reprint | | Print |

JOHANNESBURG - While governments of the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) alliance, are making good progress at a political level, wine industry spokespersons feel more could be done to ensure trade growth. - Mike Ratcliffe of the Warwick wine estate in Stellenbosch, is dismissive of current activities by South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry in boosting wine exports to China.

According to Ratcliffe the increase in wine sales to China belies the fact that the majority of South African wines are priced at the cheap end and this is doing damage to the country’s quality reputation.

He argues that all efforts at promoting South African wines in the Chinese market should be focused through the industry export body -- the Wines of South Africa. /IPS (END//2012)

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