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Reuters reports that the severe drought afflicting the Western Cape is expected to cut agricultural output by 20% this year, decimating the wheat crop and reducing apple, grape and pear exports to Europe.
Alan Winde, the province’s economic opportunities minister, has projected losses of R5.9 billion, up from a previous estimate of R4.9 billion, due to record wheat losses and a strong currency that has crimped exports. “If we compare the past quarter to the same time period last year, we see the severe impact that this drought is beginning to have on jobs and livelihoods,” Winde said, adding that 30,000 jobs had been lost. The drought has forced the Western Cape farm sector to cut water use by 60%, denting output. Among the worst hit crops is wheat. The drought is also expected to curb exports of apples, pears and grapes, mainly to Britain and other European Union states, as well as to Russia and the Far East, by 13% to 20% this year. The Western Cape’s wine industry has also struggled under the prolonged drought, with forecasts indicating the next grape harvest could be the smallest since 2005.
- Read this report in full at Reuters
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