The South African Table Grape Industry (SATI) has called for urgent intervention from both provincial and national government authorities following severe storm damage that has disrupted farming operations across several table grape-producing regions in the Western Cape.
By Maile Matsimela, digital editor at African Farming
According to SATI, severe storms, flooding and strong winds have caused widespread damage to agricultural infrastructure in parts of the Berg River, Hex River and Olifants River regions, with some farms now partially or severely disrupted.
SATI CEO Mecia Petersen said one of the most immediate concerns is the growing challenge around accessibility.
“A major concern at present is access. In several areas, access roads have been damaged or washed away, leaving some farms inaccessible,” Petersen said.
Feedback gathered through surveys among SATI members in affected regions indicates that extensive infrastructure damage continues to disrupt farming activities. Producers have reported flooded vineyards, collapsed netting and poles, damaged trellising systems and irrigation infrastructure losses. Some farms indicated that more than a third of their plantings had been affected.
Also read: Cape storms cause deaths, disruption and extensive damage
Hex River producers hit again
SATI highlighted the Hex River region as one of the hardest-hit areas, noting that this is the third major flooding incident in five years.
The repeated destruction is creating increasing pressure on producers who are still recovering from previous disasters.
“In some cases, vines that were replanted in August 2025 to replace vineyards damaged during the 2024 floods have now been washed away again,” Petersen said.
She added that the financial impact on producers is substantial.
“The average cost of establishing one hectare of table grapes can be up to R1.2 million, making the financial impact on affected producers extremely severe.”
Also read: Strong winds damage agriculture property and infrastructure in KZN Midlands
Critical post-harvest work now under threat
SATI warned that the timing of the disaster is particularly concerning because producers are entering a crucial post-harvest period, where vineyard management practices directly influence the following season’s performance.
“These post-harvest activities are crucial in determining the size, quality and productivity of next season’s table grape crop,” Petersen explained.
“It is therefore essential that affected producers can restore operations as quickly as possible to limit longer-term impacts on productivity, sustainability and employment in the industry.”
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SATI calls for accelerated support measures
SATI said producers urgently require disaster relief funding to repair roads, bridges and water infrastructure so that operations can resume without delay.
The organisation has urged authorities to accelerate disaster relief processes and provide recovery support to affected producers and rural communities.
“Without urgent intervention, the impact of these storms could extend far beyond the immediate damage already suffered by producers and rural communities,” Petersen warned.
SATI has also encouraged affected producers to complete the Western Cape Department of Agriculture’s damage assessment survey to help quantify losses and strengthen support applications.
Also read:
Floods turn hope into heartbreak for Limpopo farmers
Relief arrives late (or not at all) for flood-hit Limpopo farmers
