This follows an announcement by President Ramaphosa this week that the country would revert back to alert level 3. Level 3 prohibits the domestic sale of alcohol for on- and off-consumption until 15 January 2021. Vinpro managing director Rico Basson says while the organisation shares the President’s concern over the sudden and severe spike in positive Covid-19 cases, they are disappointed by the blanket approach with regard to alcohol trade. Vinpro says the previous two bans had a devastating impact on the wine industry, including the loss of more than R7.5 billion in sales revenue and significant job losses.  

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Not only is a record crop predicted for this season’s wheat harvest, but wheat prices have also achieved record highs. According to the Crop Estimates Committee, the expected wheat harvest was 2,1 million tons, the largest harvest in 19 years. Farmer's Weekly reports that amid the COVID-19 pandemic, local wheat prices also increased to an average record high of R5 500/t. However, Ruan Schutte, agricultural economist at Grain SA, cautioned farmers not to count their breads before they had baked, as there were still some economic and climatic factors that could change the outlook. He pointed out that due to rain in the Southern Cape region during harvest time, many grading problems could arise, while wind damage could also cause yield losses. The high wheat price was, however, boding well for wheat farmers, as it would assist in improving the financial position of farmers after years of drought that resulted in dwindling and failing crops.

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