National Association of Cider Makers

National Association of Cider Makers
Name	National Association of Cider Makers
Formation	1920s
Type	Trade association
Purpose	Representation of cider producers
Headquarters	United Kingdom
Region served	United Kingdom

National Association of Cider Makers is a United Kingdom trade association representing producers of cider and perry, acting as an industry voice in regulatory, commercial, and cultural arenas. It liaises with government departments, regional bodies in Westminster, and international organizations such as European Union institutions, while supporting members ranging from small family farms to national companies. The association interacts with bodies including Food Standards Agency, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Natural England, and trade groups like British Beer and Pub Association and Wine and Spirit Trade Association.

History

The association traces roots to early 20th century producer groups and cooperative movements associated with Somerset and Herefordshire orchard owners, evolving alongside institutions such as National Farmers Union and the Agricultural Marketing Board. During the interwar period it mirrored efforts by organizations like Society of Independent Brewers and later coordinated policy responses seen in postwar bodies including Ministry of Food and Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. In the 1970s and 1980s the association engaged with regulatory reforms influenced by European Commission directives and negotiations similar to those with Common Agricultural Policy administrators. More recent decades saw partnerships with heritage organizations like English Heritage and sustainability collaborations with Forestry Commission and Royal Horticultural Society.

Structure and Membership

The association is governed by a board reflecting diverse members from counties such as Herefordshire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall, and Norfolk, and includes representatives from commercial firms comparable to Heineken subsidiaries, regional cooperatives like Müller (company) analogues, and craft producers akin to Camra-associated cider makers. Membership spans companies whose profiles resemble Thatchers Cider, Westons Cider, Aspall, and newer enterprises inspired by models like Tiny Rebel Brewery and BrewDog diversification. The organization coordinates with importers and exporters dealing with markets including United States, China, Australia, France, and Germany, and partners with logistics and retail stakeholders such as Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, and Ocado-style distributors. Committees mirror structures in bodies like British Retail Consortium and Institute of Brewing and Distilling.

Functions and Activities

Primary activities include technical guidance similar to publications from Food and Drink Federation, lobbying before legislative bodies like House of Commons select committees, and liaison with testing institutions such as Campden BRI and universities including University of Reading and Cranfield University. The association produces market reports akin to those from Mintel and Euromonitor International, organises training comparable to programmes by Royal Agricultural University and National Trust conservation courses, and provides certification advice paralleling Organic Farmers & Growers and Soil Association frameworks. It runs outreach collaborations with cultural institutions like British Museum and tourism boards such as VisitBritain to promote cider heritage.

Standards and Advocacy

The association develops technical codes informed by standards bodies including British Standards Institution and engages with World Health Organization-related public health discussions, aligning positions with scientific research from institutes like Rowett Institute and Institute of Food Research. It advocates on taxation and excise duty matters alongside entities such as HM Revenue and Customs and negotiates appellation topics with counterparts in Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée-style systems and international trade delegations from World Trade Organization forums. In environmental policy it contributes to consultations with Environment Agency, aligns orchard biodiversity projects with Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland, and supports sustainability standards comparable to GlobalG.A.P..

Industry Statistics and Economic Impact

The association compiles production and economic data referencing methodologies similar to Office for National Statistics surveys and industry analyses from KPMG and PwC. Reports quantify outputs relative to agricultural sectors like apple cultivation regions including Herefordshire and Somerset and compare cider trade flows with beverage sectors tracked by International Wine and Spirits Research and Wine and Spirit Trade Association. Economic impact assessments consider hospitality channels such as Pubco-managed venues, regional supply chains involving companies like G’s Fresh analogues, and export figures to markets exemplified by United States, France, and Germany.

Events and Awards

The association organises conferences and tastings in venues similar to The Royal Horticultural Society halls and partners with festivals such as Somerset Cider Festival-style events and regional celebrations like Hereford Festival. It administers awards modelled on industry recognition schemes akin to Great Taste Awards and collaborates with media outlets including BBC Radio 4, BBC Good Food, and trade press resembling The Grocer and Drinks Business. The association also supports participation in international exhibitions like ProWein and national exhibitions comparable to Crufts-adjacent agricultural shows.

Category:Food industry trade associations Category:Alcohol trade associations Category:British cider