Cider is now worth £2bn to pubs and bars across the UK, with HEINEKEN UK’s new Cider Report 2026: In-Cider Knowledge showing the category has grown 3.5% year on year, making it the second fastest growing drinks category in the on-trade, according to NIQ data.
The report shows cider accounts for more than 9% of total wet sales volume in the on-trade. Across the UK, the category is selling the equivalent of 96 pints and 25 bottles per pub each week, generating around £443 in weekly sales for the average outlet.
The figures also show cider has recorded the biggest increase in serves per occasion over the last year, rising 19% to 3.2 serves. That puts it close to beer at 3.3 serves per occasion and ahead of cocktails at 2.3 serves.
Growth is being driven by increasing demand for Mainstream Apple and Premium Draught cider. Inch’s and Aspall Cyder posted the biggest value gains over the period, with Inch’s up 28% to £260m and Aspall Cyder up 14% to £149m.
The data also indicates cider is broadening its appeal beyond traditional wet-led occasions, with more than 40% of cider occasions now taking place alongside food.
Will Rice, On-trade Sales Director at HEINEKEN UK, said, “The UK is the world’s largest cider market, with over 450 cider makers across the country producing from orchard to glass, and this latest report shows that, as a nation, our passion for cider remains strong.
“As the second fastest growing drinks category in the UK on-trade and growing in popularity across new occasions, particularly with food, cider is a category fully deserving of space and focus in pubs and bars of all sizes and shapes.
“Our goal at HEINEKEN UK is always to help licensees maximise value in their outlets and so we’ve designed this report to help them make the most of the opportunity and to sell more cider, to more people, more often.”