Is fashion for fruity ciders killing off our apple orchards?

TRADITIONAL orchards may be killed off by the current fashion for fruity ciders because they rely on imported apple concentrates, farmers have warned.

Cidermakers such as Magners and Bulmers are reportedly using concentrates from abroad and the lower demand for native bitter-sweet apples is said to be affecting orchards.

Apple growers from the South West fear by the time the fruity cider fad has passed it will have killed off many apple orchards.

Julian Temperley, of Somerset Cider Brandy, said: ‘I know someone operating on Magners’ behalf who is reducing their requirement for 40,000 tons of traditional cider apples to just 10,000 tons – a 75 per cent drop across Somerset and Devon. Bulmers are doing the same.

‘Cider is our regional drink and our West Country identity is about to be cut down.’

‘The issue began when the Government started to change the tax on alcopops. In 1996, a new law came in which meant spirits were taxed at 40 per cent, which ultimately lead to the demise of many alcopop brands.’ Mr Temperley believes this tax inspired other companies to aim for the former alcopop market and argues the Government should reconsider the way it taxes drinks in the general ‘cider’ category. He added: ‘The name cider gives these drinks a level of respectability ... You don’t need apples to make fruit cider. It’s just an alcoholic and sweet drink. ‘What’s worrying is that fruit cider is showing signs of being a short-term fashion – and when people are over it in ten years and want their old cider back, most orchards will be severely diminished and the land is likely to be sold off to developers.’ A spokesman for C & C Group, which makes Magners, said: ‘We are working [with growers] on measures that balance this oversupply situation with our requirements for the very highest quality fruits and the sustainability of our industry.’