NEW products will again play a big part in the performance of flavoured cider this year, predicts market research firm Nielsen in its latest beers wines and spirits insights update.
New products have been announced from Magners (Cider with Irish Whiskey), Carling Cider (Orchard Fruits), Stella Cidre (Peach, and Elderflower flavours) and Somersby (Blackberry, Apple Burst, and Cranberry)among others.
The researcher said flavoured cider was worth £274m in the latest UK moving annual total figures in its Nielsen ScanTrack programme. That meant it had grown by 26% on the preceding year. The growth was substantial but much less than the 65% of two years ago.
The researcher said wine has been a category where flavours had historically had little impact. However, that changed in June 2014, with the launch of Echo Falls Fruit Fusions, which have generated £9m in sales since launch – the most successful NPD within wine in 2014. It expects to see more flavoured wines launched this year.