South African wine exports are soaring in defiance of the international economic slowdown, chief executive of the industry body Wines of South Africa, Su Birch, said on Thursday.  FIN24

She said over 363m litres were sold offshore during the 12 months to July, an increase of 27% on the previous 12 months.

“This is way ahead of the originally anticipated target of 300m litres a year we were hoping to achieve by 2010,” she said in a statement.

Birch said even though the United Kingdom‘s relative contribution to total exports had diminished, it was still South Africa‘s largest wine export destination.

Jo Mason, UK market manger, Wines of South Africa, said: “It is fantastic to see South Africa performing so well in one of its most established export markets. The country enjoys an enviable image in the minds of UK consumers and the quality and value for money the country offers is clearly having an impact. Retail News Update

Mason added that “Arniston Bay has put in a strong performance this year”. Arniston Bay has become one of the key South African wine brands in the UK market.