Wine grape growers across the state who are experiencing challenges due to the current oversupply of red wine grapes will soon be able to access additional support through a State Government grant to Rural Business Support.
The Rural Business Support Relief Fund will assist by providing financial support for impacted red wine grape growers by making available immediate grants to those eligible of up to $1,500 to accommodate routine costs. This will be in conjunction with business financial counselling.
The support aims to alleviate stress for grape growers, who have felt significant impacts owing to market disruption, severe weather events and natural disasters.
A further $60,000 in funding is also being provided to Rural Business Support to increase Rural Financial Counselling Services for the wine and viticulture industry.
The ethephon vineyard resting trial will also be extended to the next vintage to give growers time to make considered business decisions. By applying this chemical, grape growers will be able to potentially save up to $2,000 per hectare in input, water, and management costs.
This support complements other measures developed to assist local industry with ongoing challenges. The State Government developed a $1.85m package to re-engage with China following the recent lifting of tariffs and previously provided $300,000 to develop and implement the Riverland Wine Blueprint.
Other support is available including the Commonwealth's Farm Household Allowance, Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) and the Department of Primary Industries and Region's (PIRSA) Family and Business (FaB) Mentors.
For more information on support for wine grape growers in South Australia, see Grape and wine.