South Africa's exports to UK jump by a quarter in 2020, driven by premium wines

South Africa’s wine exports to the UK surged by nearly a quarter in value last year, with shipments of packaged wine performing even better.  

Acording to SAWIS, South Africa’s wine exports to the UK, which is its biggest market, jumped by 23% during 2020 and by 28% for packaged wines with growth being largely driven by sales of premium wines.  

The UK accounts for nearly a quarter (23%) of all South African exports by value, and was also the fastest growing of its top 10 major export markets.   “It has been heartening to see the support for the South African wine industry in the UK trade, and this has now translated into a significant jump in export figures,” said UK market manager for Wines of South Africa Jo Wehring.

“We have seen many importers, retailers and wine commentators go abvove and beyond to help our industry and make UK wine drinkers awre of the quality and potential of great South African wines.”   Marketing activities such as the social media campaign #SpectacularSouthAfrica have helped to attract new UK consumers into the category, she claimed.