Sales of cider rose 5.5% year-on-year to just over £1bn during the 12 months ending 15 July, according to measurement company Nielsen who analysed till sales in 20,000 UK shops.
The sales between May and July increased 16% year-on-year and statistics from the Met Office showed that May was the second warmest in the UK since records began in 1910.
“This is extremely welcome news for cider manufacturers after what’s been a sustained period of struggle," says Helen Stares from Nielsen.
“However, it also highlights how highly dependent the cider industry is on good weather – essentially it’s been brought back into growth off the back of some near record-breaking temperatures.
Cider is arguably the most reliant alcohol on good weather in terms of consumer behaviour. Its key to long term and sustainable growth is making itself more attractive to people outside of the BBQ season, as indicated by our preliminary data showing sales dropped off quite notably once the weather worsened from late July.”
Cider brands which experienced strong growth across the year include Thatchers (up +44%), Kopparberg (+21%) and Rekorderlig (+17%). Strongbow remains the biggest in the sector, with 28% market share.
