Irish Cider Market Report 2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on cider sales in 2020. The rolling lockdowns on our hospitality sector has increased cider purchases in the retail sector but not enough to offset the loss of cider sales in pubs, restaurants, and hotels. This report highlights the impact the pandemic has had on the cider sector.

While cider remains one of Ireland’s favourite alcohol beverages, its market share has fallen from 7.4% in 2019 to 6.9% in 2020. This is due to an 11.3% fall in total cider sales in 2020 when compared to the previous year. Cider consumption per capita has fallen by 11.4%. Since 2011, per capita consumption for cider is down 23%. In 2019, it was estimated that 45% of cider sales were from pubs, restaurants and hotels. However, in 2020 an estimated 16% of cider sales were from the hospitality sector.

The value of cider exports declined by 2.7% to €58.2 million in 2020, down from €60.9million in 2019. About 90% of cider exports go to the United Kingdom. The next most popular destinations for Irish cider are the United States, Australia, New Zealand and France. The value of imported cider rose by 17% from €12.1 million in 2019 to €14.2 in 2020. About 70% cider imports (by value) come from the UK, while 15% of cider imports come from Belgium.

Over €53 million was collected in excise receipts from cider sales in 2020. That is an 11% fall in excise receipts since 2019. In the past ten years over half a billion Euro worth of excise receipts has been collected from cider sales in Ireland. Cider drinkers in Ireland continue to pay the third highest rate of excise in the EU.

Download the full report below.