John D Blackburn

The UK Cider Industry John D Blackburn

This study looks at all companies registered in the United Kingdom where they identify themselves as manufacturers of cider and other fruit wines.

This study includes companies that are dormant or non-trading some of which might be latent while others may operate under their owners' names but are incorporated to protect the business name. In addition, all newly incorporated companies are included. The study will exclude those companies that do not specifically identify themselves as manufacturersof cider and other fruit wines.

The aim of this study is to provide an overview of the key movers and shakers in the UK cider and other fruit wines sector. Only key data has been isolated, particularly the company's net worth and total assets, but also its full name, date incorporated, registered office, other activities, shareholders, directors (with date of birth, occupation and nationality) and number of employees.

Two indicators of size are used: net worth and total assets. These are preferable to turnover which is influenced by profit margins and whether the companies are capital or labour intensive.

In the years 2016, 2017 and 2018, new company incorporations in this sector were 48, 49 and 90 respectively.

In Great Britain, 57% of those aged 16 years and over in 2017 drank alcohol (29 million people of the population) while 20% did not drink alcohol at all.

NACM Cider Makers Limited is the trade body as well as the South West of England Cidermakers' Association (SWECA). L'Association des Industries des Cidres et Vins de Fruits de l'U. E. (A. I. C. V.) represents the European Union cider and fruit wine industries located in Brussels.

UK cider represents 39% of the global market and is worth £3 billion in the UK. The rest of Europe accounts for 25% of global sales. The market is dominated by H P Bulmer Limited and Magners GB Limited. Cider represents 7% of total alcohol sales with exports representing £100 million.

The market's annual growth is just over 2%. Some 64% is sold off trade through supermarkets. Cider has grown 3.5% in value and 2.2% in volume over the last year. While pear cider continues to decline, losing over 20% volume while crafted cider has grown by 17%.

The growth of the cider market is driven by a demand for gluten-free drinks and a preference for low alcohol beverages. However, its high sugar content is the major factor that hampers growth.

More than 11,000 pubs have closed in the UK in the last decade, a fall of almost a quarter (23%). The number of UK pubs has fallen from around 52,500 in 2001 to some 38,815 in 2018. Although many pubs have closed, the total turnover of pubs and bars has held up, remaining flat since 2008, adjusting for inflation.