Cider sales and investment slow as over-ice craze slumps

Drinkers are turning away from cider and heading towards more fashionable drinks instead. 

According to Mintel data, the trend driven by brands like Magners for drinking cider over ice peaked in 2013 and although value sales of cider are still growing – suggesting a move towards premium varieties – volume sales have declined for the past four years.

 A report in the Financial Times on January 20 suggested that big drinks manufacturers are looking at moving away from their investments in apple producers, with some orchards being dug up. 

Much of the growth has come from ciders made with other fruits, which has hit 
local producers, although the UK remains the world’s largest cider-drinking country. 

Retailers suggested that cider consumers have moved to gin, with damp summers continuing to reduce demand. 

Harry Singh Hallan of Londis Carstairs Junction in South Lanarkshire, said: “We’ve only stuck with the main cider lines, some new launches we won’t even take." 

"There’s always been a market for cider and there always will be, but the real growth is coming from gin. We’ve got 30 different gins in store, people have started coming from a long way away.”