SA wine industry impresses Swedish delegation

At the same time South Africa remained 'fairly high up' on the organisation's list of risk countries which also include Chile and California.

They were accompanied on a short visit to the Cape Winelands, arranged more than a year ago, by their full board to allow members to acquaint themselves with local conditions. The media briefing was also attended by Western Cape Agricultural Minister Gerrit van Rensburg. The group visited several wine farms and met with the major role players in the local wine industry, including some worker organisations.

The minister said he welcomed the visit by the team, as Sweden was South Africa's fourth largest export destination for wine. "The Western Cape Government believes real improvement in social conditions can only be brought about through economic growth and as a province we therefore value our trade relations with Sweden."

South Africa sells about 33 million litres of wine a year to Systembolaget comprising several hundred labels. In 2011 South Africa ranked as its single biggest supplier.

Gerger said a major priority for the organisation was to promote a supply chain which was fair and honest towards people and the environment, requirements which ranked high in a country such as Sweden. She said there was strong support for Fairtrade wines and commended South Africa for having been at the forefront of Fairtrade wines internationally. She added that WIETA accreditation could also become a requirement of the group's tender process.

"Although the energy and enthusiasm devoted in South Africa to the corporate social responsibility aspects of the production process is truly inspiring, there is still room for improvement. We hope our ongoing dialogue with producers will inspire further achievements and lead to improved conditions, for ongoing progress in local conditions is crucial for us."

The organisation performs regular audits on producers in the countries from where they buy and such an audit is at present being conducted in the Cape Winelands.

"If the results of an audit are not satisfactory, an action plan is developed and the producer re-audited within 12 months. We want to promote positive change. However, if a producer is not prepared to institute the changes we require, we cannot continue working with it.

"We believe anyone involved in the making of the products we sell should earn a living wage. We are at present involved in the revision of the Code of Conduct for the Nordic countries, and there is every indication that the revised code, which is expected to come into effect in 2014, will contain a 'living wage' condition," concluded Gerger.