The warm weather at the beginning of the summer helped propel annual cider sales in the UK above the £1 billion threshold for the first time since 2014.
During the 12 months ending 15 July, sales of cider rose by 5.5% year-on-year to just over £1 billion, according to measurement company Nielsen.
Sales between the middle of May and middle of July increased by 16% year-on-year. Statistics from the Met Office showed this May was the second warmest since records began in 1910.
Cider brands experiencing particularly strong growth across the year included Thatchers (up 44%), Kopparberg (+21%) and Rekorderlig (+17%). Strongbow remains the biggest in the sector, with 28% market share.
It wasn’t just cider that benefited from the warm weather, British households spent 9% more on beer between mid-May and mid-July than the same period last year – helping the category to grow 5% annually to £3.9 billion.
Beer brands with particularly strong growth across the year included Corona and Coors Light (both up 25%), Budweiser (+18%) and Peroni (+15%). Stella Artois remains the biggest in the sector – accounting for 12.5% market share.
Speaking of the results, Nielsen liquor industry expert Helen Stares said: “This is extremely welcome news for cider manufacturers after what’s been a sustained period of struggle. 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.”
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