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Slave labor productivity and wine output: Stellenbosch, 1680–1828

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  • Fourie, Johan
  • Greyling, Jan

Abstract

This paper examines wine output and slave labor productivity in the Dutch and British Cape Colony, leveraging annual tax censuses. We document a substantial increase in wine production, but, despite substantial institutional changes over more than a century, we find surprisingly stable median wine yields. Exploiting the farm-level nature of our data, we observe increasing heterogeneity in wine yields, suggesting that some farmers were able to realize productivity increases. We show that efficient slave labor utilization was a critical driver of productivity enhancement, largely unaffected by external factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Fourie, Johan & Greyling, Jan, 2023. "Slave labor productivity and wine output: Stellenbosch, 1680–1828," Journal of Wine Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 18(3), pages 191-204, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jwecon:v:18:y:2023:i:3:p:191-204_1
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    Cited by:

    1. Maravall Buckwalter, Laura & Basco Mascaro, Sergi & Domènech Feliu, Jordi, 2026. "Cash Crops, Settlement Patterns, and Indigenous Population Growth: The Role of Wine in Colonial Algeria (1900-1950)," IFCS - Working Papers in Economic History.WH 49839, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. Instituto Figuerola.
    2. Karl Bergemann & Gabriel Brown & Johan Fourie, 2026. "Running Towards: Labour Market Incentives for Runaway Slaves in the British Cape Colony, 1830–1838," Working Papers 03/2026, Stellenbosch University, Department of Economics.

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