2019 Beer Report: Hard ciders benefits from diverse flavor profiles
Packaging innovations also benefit beer segment
In the United States, the hard cider market has experienced its shares of ups and downs. “IBISWorld estimates that the cider production industry has experienced robust growth over the past five years, as renewed interest in the beverage has encouraged a slew of new operators to enter the industry,” says Chris Lombardo, lead industry analyst for Los Angeles-based IBISWorld. “Still much of this growth occurred at the beginning of the five-year period, with the later years becoming more volatile. Many cider operators have mirrored the craft brewery model, offering ancillary services along with a variety of cider options. Moreover, as the consumers continue to diversify their alcoholic beverage consumption, ciders have experienced heightened demand.”
According to Chicago-based Information Resources Inc. (IRI), the hard cider market was up 7.4 percent in case sales and 10.1 percent in dollar sales for the 52 weeks ending Dec. 30, 2018, in total U.S. multi-outlets, including convenience stores. This marks a notable change for the market, which was down 6.1 percent in volume and down 3.1 percent in dollar sales during the same time period in 2017.