The South African wine industry has welcomed the decision of its government to lift restrictions on wine exports from the country, originally put in place to tackle the spread of covid-19.
Following weeks of lobbying by industry exporters, South Africa’s Minister of Transport yesterday issued new directions under the current lockdown regulations, allowing the export of wines and other fresh products.
‘During the lockdown period, the transportation of the wines and any other fresh produce products at the sea ports and international airports designated as port of entry for export is allowed,’ reads the Minister of Transport’s notice. ‘Agricultural cargo is allowed to be transported to sea ports and international airports designated as ports of entry and exported to the relevant destination.’
The exemption, says promotional body Wines of South Africa, ‘only relates to finished product that is ready for shipping in either bulk or packaged format’.
Yesterday’s decision follows a recent government decision to allow winegrowers to continue harvesting despite the country being in full lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak.
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