Cider – not just for Summer
Cider is Ireland’s third most-popular alcoholic beverage with a market share of 7.5% however its market share has decreased marginally from 7.7% the previous year.
In 2016 sales of cider in Ireland were actually higher in the fourth quarter of the year (18.8 million litres sold) than in the second or third quarter (18.4 million litres and 13.7 million litres respectively).
In all, 64 million litres of cider were consumed in Ireland last year making a €61 million contribution to the Exchequer in excise payments.
Irish cider goes hand-in-hand with sunny weather enjoyed during the Summer months.
Popular at barbeques, in beer gardens and at festivals, few might associate it with colder weather and the Winter months.
But cider is not just a drink for Summer as many people believe but it’s enjoyed throughout the year particularly during the Christmas period states Drinks Ireland|Cider.
And this year Winter-warmer Irish cider recipes and products are proving popular among consumers with sales of cider set to see an increase again it claims adding, “Mulled cider has emerged as an alternative to mulled wine and hot apple brandy has emerged an alternative to hot whiskey.
“These drinks offer the perfect treat for a Festive gathering or just to enjoy by the fire up on the couch with a good book on a chilly evening,” it states, “With 75% of cider purchased in Ireland from Irish cider producers, your Winter drink can be locally-sourced. Many small and artisan producers also grow their own apples. It’s estimated that over 50,000 tonnes of Irish apples are used every year to manufacture cider in Ireland. So, it can truly be an orchard to glass experience.”
The Head of Drinks Ireland|Cider Jonathan McDade adds, “Cider is evolving as a drinks category with plenty of new products and producers on the market in recent years driving innovation in the sector and ultimately offering more choice for the consumer. The latest figures, for the first three quarters of this year, shows that cider sales rose marginally by 0.43% in Ireland compared to the same period in 2018.”
Cider is Ireland’s third most-popular alcoholic beverage with a market share of 7.5% however its market share has decreased marginally from 7.7% the previous year.
