CAMRA celebrates orchards throughout October Cider and Perry Month

Members of the Campaign for Real Ale are championing orchards with their biannual Cider and Perry Month celebration as this season’s harvests are gathered. 

This October, the membership organisation has compiled a wealth of information to help consumers take a deep dive into the state of the UK’s orchards, which are vital in the production of real cider and perry.

Despite the UK being self-sufficient in cider apples, many of the largest manufacturers use only the legal minimum amount of freshly pressed juice required or import cheaper concentrates from abroad, leaving traditional orchards to decline.

Ahead of the Government’s review of the definition of cider for duty purposes, the Campaign is taking consumers back to where cider begins and celebrating high quality, real cider made from fresh juice.

This follows research from YouGov, commissioned by CAMRA, showing that 93% of survey takers rated the preservation of traditional orchards as important to them, while 87% said raising the minimum juice content of cider to help halt the loss of orchards was important.

Speaking about the news, CAMRA’s Real Ale, Cider and Perry Campaigns Director, Gillian Hough said:

“It’s fantastic news that Government will review the definition of cider for duty purposes.

“The sector is undergoing a renaissance with producers new and old alike creating high quality, high juice content, ciders and perries. Seeing Government respond to this with a commitment to ensure the tax system reflects and supports the industry is a timely and welcome step, and we’d like to see this review guarantee that cider must contain at least 50% freshly pressed juice for duty purposes.

“CAMRA has long been concerned that the current system incentivises some of the largest manufacturers to make ciders with more water than juice, which in turn drives the loss of our traditional orchards.

“We know that orchards are of benefit to the environment and our mental health, so I’d urge all consumers to join the October Cider and Perry Month celebrations this harvest season, and go explore and experience local orchards, ciders and perries.”