{
  "id": 8167960,
  "title": "Breaking: SA government commits $109m to help struggling wine industry",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/breaking-sa-government-commits-109m-to-help-struggling-wine-industry",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T03:33:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-18/109-million-support-package-for-struggling-sa-wine-industry/107168028"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The South Australian government has unveiled a $109 million support package aimed at revitalizing the state's struggling wine industry. Grape growers nationwide have been advocating for assistance since the onset of the pandemic, as the sector faced a significant glut of red wine due to China's ban on Australian wine imports and a decline in global wine consumption. South Australia is renowned for its major wine regions, including the Barossa Valley, McLaren Vale, and the Riverland.\n\nPremier Peter Malinauskas revealed the package today, with $100 million designated for loans to help growers transition to alternative crops. Eligible growers can secure loans up to $500,000, with no principal or interest repayments required for the initial two years. The loans will be divided into two categories, with smaller growers eligible for up to $250,000 and larger entities up to $500,000. The support package also addresses chemical-treated wine disposal, surplus inventories, and extends the Global Wine Growth Program for an additional two years.\n\nThe government's goal is to tackle the oversupply of wine production affecting the industry, with the hope that both small and large growers will take advantage of the loan scheme and diversify into other crops. Liberal MP and former Riverland wine grape grower Tim Whetstone had been advocating for this support for years, recognizing the hardship endured by his constituency and the region over the past four to five years. While Whetstone welcomed the announcement, he emphasized the need for more detailed information, as growers remain uncertain about how the support will impact individual businesses.\n\nShadow Primary Industries Minister Nicola Centofanti, a resident of the Riverland, questioned the 7.2 percent interest rate following the two-year reprieve, suggesting it appeared more like a commercial rate than a concessional one. Freestone Estate CEO Lucy Clemments estimated that around 10 to 15 percent of South Australian winegrape growers had already left the industry in recent years, describing the situation as \"tough for a very long time.\" She highlighted the pivotal nature of this moment for all South Australian growers and winemakers, signaling the beginning of a recovery journey.\n\nThe wine grape crisis is evident throughout the Riverland, with 72 percent of Riverland wine grape operations reporting losses in the most recent season. Some red wine growers received only $150 per tonne, while production costs amounted to $300 per tonne, according to CCW Co-operative Limited. Riverland Wine CEO Andrew Weeks stressed the widespread impact of the wine grape crisis, noting that numerous vines have been left idle, with growers uncertain whether to continue growing grapes or exit the industry altogether and explore alternative options. Premier Peter Malinauskas emphasized that the package aims to provide an equitable path forward for all within the $2.4 billion wine industry, acknowledging its central role not only to the state's economy but also to its identity. The premier acknowledged the time taken to develop the support package, given the unique nature of the oversupply problem compared to natural disasters, emphasizing the need for careful calibration of the response. Expressions of interest for the loan scheme will be accepted online next week.",
  "summary": "The South Australian government has announced a $109 million support package for the state's struggling wine industry.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}