The regional distribution, marketing and economic value of the palm wine trade in the Ingwavuma district, Natal, South Africa

Tapping of sap from Hyphaene coriacea and Phoenix reclinata palms to make palm wine is an important subsistence activity in the Hyphaene coriacea palmveld in south-eastern Africa. Monitoring of palm wine sale points showed that nearly 980 000 litres of palm wine were sold during the 12-month period between November 1981 and October 1982. This palm wine is transported way beyond the boundary of the palmveld source area, generating R157 732 [US $145 113 (1982)] through its sale, transport and resale over a 12- month period. Although individual profits are small, this regional trade is a means of self-employment for some 460–480 people. Together with pastoralism, gathering of weaving materials and wild foods, palm tapping trade forms an important part of multiple use of this area of low agricultural potential