Fruit cider has returned to growth off the back of a hot summer, according to new Circana data.
Category value sales have climbed 5.6% year on year in the past 12 weeks, and 5.1% in the four weeks to 8 August 2026. Volumes are also up, by 5.4% and 4.6% respectively.
It marks a major turnaround in fortunes for fruit cider, which crashed 12.9% in value and 11% in volume in 2025, according to take-home data from Worldpanel by Numerator.
The resurgence was being driven by “warm weather, major sporting occasions and people spending more time together,” according to fruit cider brand Kopparberg, which has also seen a strong sales uplift, growing 12.1% over 12 weeks, on volumes up 9.5% [Circana].
Kopparberg’s recent sales performance was being driven by the brand’s ability to recruit new shoppers, said Rob Salvesen, head of marketing at Kopparberg UK.
The brand had grown its buyer base from 1.8 million to 1.9 million over the past 12 weeks, with 3.5 million purchases made during the period, he said, citing NIQ data.
Reflecting its enduring appeal, Kopparberg was now the UK’s most considered cider brand according to YouGov BrandIndex data, he added.
“The drinks market is always looking for the next big thing,” said Salvesen. “We have seen categories like ready-to-serve arrive with a lot of noise, but some of these trends quickly become fads. Established brands have trust, familiarity and a reason for people to keep coming back. But that only lasts if you continue to invest.
“We have backed Kopparberg year after year, culminating in our biggest marketing investment to date this summer at £6m. The latest performance shows why consistent, long-term brand building still matters.”
Preaching caution despite the strong summer trading period, Salvesen added: “One strong summer does not mean the job is done. The category still needs focused ranges, a productive year-round focus on the bestsellers and better chilled visibility when demand peaks.
“But the results show fruit cider still matters, still attracts younger adults and can deliver meaningful growth for retailers.”
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