Export Statistics Coordinator
Yvette van der Merwe is the president of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine and executive manager of SAWIS.
The South African wine industry celebrated a historic moment as Yvette van der Merwe was appointed as the president of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV) on 18 October 2024. She is the first female from Africa to hold this prestigious position since the organisation's inception in 1924.
With a career spanning nearly three decades in the South African wine sector, Yvette brings a wealth of expertise to her new role. Her instrumental role in shaping the industry's trajectory, including serving as the president of the Economy and Law Commission at the OIV and executive manager of the South African Wine Industry Information and Systems (SAWIS), is a testament to her dedication and contributions.
Yvette's remarkable journey in the wine industry began in 1996, and her contributions have been instrumental in driving strategic initiatives to enhance the industry's global competitiveness and sustainability. She played a crucial role in developing the Wine Industry 2020 strategic document, which laid the foundation for a world-class business intelligence system and ensured the industry’s continued growth on the international stage.
