In 2024, the UK cider category soared to a record-breaking valuation of £2 billion in the on-trade—a remarkable 5% increase in value, despite volumes holding steady. Cider has firmly cemented itself as the nation’s second most popular alcoholic beverage by volume within pubs and bars, with an impressive 342 million pints and 114 million bottles poured over the year.
Flavoured cider remains a driving force in the sunshine seasons. Kopparberg, as the UK’s number one fruit cider brand, it continues to shape consumer choice with standout icons like Strawberry & Lime and Mixed Fruit, the top two bestselling packaged cider SKUs in the On Trade. According to research venues with three fruit cider SKUs can unlock a volume uplift of up to 188% – proof that premium flavour and variety drives performance.
Thatchers shook up the Scottish cider scene in 2024, emerging as the fastest-growing cider brand north of the border, with a 25.7% year-on-year sales uplift – according to the latest figures from Circana. Thatchers Blood Orange exploded in popularity, notching up a remarkable 69% growth in sales.
While fruit flavours remain hugely popular, there is a growing shift towards premium takes on classic apple cider, particularly among younger drinkers who want more flavour without losing that crisp, refreshing apple hit. That’s where Kopparberg Crisp Apple comes in. New for 2025, it delivers a premium take on traditional apple cider, with that unmistakable Kopparberg sweet kick that younger consumers love and offers a smart switch for licensees, delivering higher margins and greater rate of sale than standard apple taps (switching from standard apple to premium leads to 25% higher ROS and up to 48% more value sales per outlet1).
