Extra funding will be allocated to help Riverland grape growers address the oversupply of red wine.
The State Government last week announced an extra $260,000 for CCW Co-operative, aimed at supporting members to diversify into alternate crops and improve access to information for new revenue streams.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said, “The diversification by some growers away from wine to other crops is a key element to this, especially in the Riverland, which is why we are making this investment now”.
“We are all aware of the current pressures and issues facing wine grape growers and winemakers in the Riverland and across South Australia due to the current over supply of red wine grapes,” Ms Scriven said.
The support package will also see an implementation officer appointed by Riverland Wine to assist with rolling out the Riverland Wine Industry Blueprint.
South Australian wine industry bodies have will also receive an extra $50,000 to hold community events focused on mental health and wellbeing.
These events are mainly targeted at winemakers and grape growers who have been impacted by oversupply issues.
Riverland Wine executive officer Lyndall Rowe said “the role of the Implementation Officer would be central to ensuring the successful delivery of the plan’s objectives over the next two years”.
“Riverland Wine looks forward to support close collaboration between the organisations through a close working relationship between the Implementation Officer and the new incumbent to the CCW Co-operative” Ms Rowe said.
“This investment underscores the government’s commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of the Riverland wine industry”
“With the Implementation Officer in place, we are confident in our ability to drive forward the initiatives outlined in the Blueprint and continue to build upon the success of our region.”
A commissioned report from the University of Adelaide’s Wine Economics Research Centre, examines challenges and how to drive a sustainable supply-demand balance into the future.
In the report – The current wine crisis: Ways forward in Australia’s wine regions – Professor Kym Anderson highlights possible options for minimising oversupply.
“We must highlight the important role the industry has in leading solutions to the oversupply situation, including better understanding consumer preferences when looking for markets to sell their product,” Prof Anderson said.
Prof Anderson’s report is being reviewed and finalised ahead of its recommendations being given to Agriculture Ministers at the end of July.
Further information can be found on the website (www.pir.sa.gov.au/primary_industry/ grape_and_wine).
This article appeared in the Murray Pioneer, 24 July 2024.
