Orchards at risk as cider sales hit by virus
CORONAVIRUS has caused a crisis for the Westcountry’s cider producers, with some facing ruin unless they get urgent government help.
One leading cider-maker has warned that some apple orchards could be grubbed up if producers do not get support, while a glut of apples this year could be left to rot.
Julian Temperley told Mail Online that, while he could use the excess fruit not needed for cider to make his Somerset cider brandy, others would be throwing away their fruit. “This is one of the worst crises the industry has ever had,” he said.
The closure of pubs, bars and restaurants during the height of the crisis, plus the cancellation of music and other festivals where cider sales are traditionally strong, has hit producers hard.
Now Tiverton and Honiton Conservative MP Neil Parish, chairman of the Environment and Rural Affairs Committee has written to Defra Secretary of State George Eustice appealing for help.
He writes: “By mid-August sales were over 7% down against the previous year, threatening employment, farming and the rural economy. Cider-makers expect 2020 sales to be down 10-15% by the year end.”
Mr Parish wants a Government fund set up to enable apple growers to buy up unused apples under contract. He also wants a review of the tax on cider to bring down the cost of duty on long drinks, and a further 2p off a pint of cider to help boost sales, now pubs are open again.
Mr Parish says a more pro
gressive system of duty on cider would stimulate innovation and growth.
He writes: “Cider-making is an essential contributor to several counties across Herefordshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall, including Aston Manor and Lyme Bay Winery in my constituency.
“Cider-making in our counties supports around 11,500 jobs, provides a farming income of £24m and attracts over half a million tourists. On top of this, UK cider represents 38% of global cider sales and is an export success story, with over £110m of export sales around the world.”
But the MP warns that the crisis caused by coronavirus means the industry needs support to protect its long-term future as well as changes to the tax system before January when, if there is a no-deal Brexit, World Trade Organisation Rules will mean a tariff is slapped on cider exports.
The National Association of Cider Makers says that between 170,000 and 200,000 tonnes of cider apples are grown each year in the UK, and 1.4 billion pints of cider are produced. CEO Fenella Tyler said: “Over the lockdown period, when the hospitality sector was shut, there were around a quarter billion fewer pints of cider sold across the UK.”