The East African region is projected to have a major boom in the wine sector following growing demand from China and Europe.
According to the report by SABC, the region is experimenting with grape farming irrespective of its hot tropical climate which is not favourable to the farming.
The unique tropical flavor in wines produced in Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda is attracting many consumers. Since wine farming is a fairly new industry in East Africa, there are no available statistics to record how much income is being generated from the sector.
South Africa, Africa’s leading wine producer, is expected to get some stiff competition from the region.
The Ethiopian government is injecting capital to boost emerging wine farmers after experiencing massive sells of various wine brands to Asia, Africa and North America.
“In Ethiopia the biggest importation is from South Africa and Kenya but since we started producing importation is reducing. Wine making is now shifting to tropical regions and in Ethiopia there was a trial 30 years ago in wine making and the grape growing is conducive cause the soil is highly fertile and our wine has natural aroma like coffee.” Said Castel wine, Production Manager Yitbarek Girma
