As part of the IFA budget submission for 2017, the organisation is pushing for changes in the excise and licensing regulations for cider producers.

The Irish Apple Growers’ Association has been campaigning to remove the upper excise band for cider producers and instead have a single duty rate for all farmers. In addition, all manufacturers producing up to 1,000 hectolitres would require a licence to permit selling to retail and wholesale outlets.

In its submission ahead of the budget in October, the IFA says the above changes would “remove barriers to sales and distribution of craft cider”, while also supporting the craft cider industry in Ireland.

Recent trends

Ireland’s craft brewing industry has grown significantly in recent years, with the number of breweries in Ireland increasing by 400% in the last five years.

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