New economic analysis highlights cider’s role as a major national industry driving growth across agriculture, manufacturing, hospitality and retail .
The UK cider industry contributes almost £2.7 billion to the UK economy and supports 65,600 jobs nationwide, according to new research conducted by the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM). The in-depth study of the sector combines new economic modelling from Oxford Economics with consumer and industry insight to present the most comprehensive picture yet of cider’s economic impact. The research reveals a sector that reaches far beyond orchards and producers into every part of the UK economy. The study shows that cider is not just an important heritage product, but a significant modern economic force embedded across multiple sectors with the UK the largest producer and consumer in the world.
In 2024 alone, the cider industry generated £2.7bn in Gross Value Added (GVA) to UK
GDP, supported 65,600 jobs, spanning production, hospitality, retail and supply chains
and delivered £1.4bn in wages and earnings to UK workers (1). This impact is felt in every UK region, with each benefiting from at least £55 million in GVA and over 1,500 jobs linked to cider.
The research highlights cider’s extensive supply chain multiplier effect, with economic activity flowing through agriculture, logistics, packaging, retail, and hospitality.
- Of the total £2.7bn contribution:
- £1.6bn comes from direct industry activity
- £371m is generated through supply chain spending
- £691m is driven by employee spending in the wider economy
This demonstrates how cider production and sales sustain economic activity well beyond the category itself, supporting thousands of additional businesses and livelihoods. It also uncovers the love British consumers have for cider and the scale of the opportunity to grow the category even further. From a survey of over 1,250 UK adults and four consumer focus groups (2), the NACM found that:
- Of those that drink alcohol, four in 10 drink cider at least monthly
- Among all drinkers, just under six in 10 consider cider when choosing an alcoholic beverage
- 35% of consumers say they mainly drink it “at the pub”, with a quarter saying they mainly drink it “at bars or clubs” or “at barbecues” (both 25%)
- When asked “compared to other alcoholic drinks you usually drink,” cider came out higher than other drinks in all categories, including taste, quality and value for money.
Significantly, one-third of non-cider drinkers say they would consider trying cider in the future; almost a fifth of people (18%) like that cider is easy to share with others, and nearly three in five (59%) consumers say they’d prefer cider to come from a British producer.
Fenella Tyler, CEO of the NACM, said: “Cider is not only a great British tradition, but also a major economic contributor supporting tens of thousands of jobs and businesses across the UK. “The research we have conducted shows just how far-reaching the industry’s impact is, from orchards and manufacturers through to pubs, retailers and supply chains in every region. “With strong consumer demand and clear opportunities for growth, cider is well placed to continue delivering economic value for the UK in the years ahead.”
The UK remains the largest cider market in the world, with hundreds of producers operating across the country and deep connections to local communities and regional economies.As the industry looks ahead, the report positions cider as a category with both strong economic fundamentals and significant untapped growth potential — making it an increasingly important contributor to the UK’s economic landscape.
(1) Oxford Economics 2025 NACM Economic Impact Report
(2) Conducted by Trajectory
Photo Credit to Alistair Heap / PA Wire